Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola said RS-GP’s “average” has improved in 2025 and the brand is now constantly challenging dominator Ducati for race wins.
Ten years after returning to MotoGP, Aprilia is yet to make a serious title challenge with one of its riders.
However, the Italian manufacturer has been a consistent front-line force for the 2025 season, currently sitting second in the constructors’ standings.
With Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia achieved multiple Grand Prix and sprint wins and was expected to have a second full-distance race success in Indonesia prior to its tangle with Marc Marquez.
Since winning the British Grand Prix, Bezzecchi has finished on the podium in at least one race of the weekend in all but four races.
The RS-GP maintains its cornering strength, but electronic changes made during the season have also improved its performance under hard braking.
As a result, Rivola sees the bike’s “average” improved over the previous year.
“The good thing about the bike was obviously here, especially Marco, he was very fast in the flowing parts. That was a very good characteristic of the Aprilia,” he said in Indonesia.
“At the end of the day, we seem to be more competitive on stop-and-go tracks.
“So the average bikes are getting better and better.
“In a way, I prefer a fast rider on a fast bike to finish because of his mistakes, because I don’t think he’s going to make a mistake every race.
“Still, I’m confident going into the next race. But obviously I had a chance to get 25 points and I got zero points, that’s obviously very disappointing.”
Bezzecchi is likely to receive a penalty at the upcoming Australian Grand Prix after sustaining a shoulder injury following a collision with Marc Marquez.
This will be a huge blow to the Aprilia star, who was touted by his rivals on the grid as the rider to beat at Phillip Island.