Clear statement: Aprilia works “8 days a week” for the MotoGP title

– Aprilia has the chance to win the MotoGP World Championship for the first time. In the smaller classes, the Italian brand looks back on a successful history, primarily in the two-stroke era.

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In the 125cc class, ten rider and ten manufacturer titles were won. In the 250cc class, there were nine rider and nine manufacturer titles. Across classes, Aprilia is the fourth most successful brand behind Honda, Yamaha, and MV Agusta.

Now the masterpiece is to be achieved: The world championship title in the premier class should go to Noale. In the current season, Aprilia has already won seven of the 13 Grands Prix so far and leads all three world championship standings.

“We know that we have the chance,” says Aprilia racing manager Paolo Bonora to MotoGP.com. “We don’t want to lose this chance. Certainly, the motorcycle is very good.”

“But we know that the competitor is at a very high level. We know that we have to improve from race to race. We don’t stop improving.”

Aprilia continues to work on detail improvements of the current RS-GP. In Silverstone, there were small changes in aerodynamics and in Aragon a new rear wing. Ducati has not brought any updates since the summer break.

In the background, the full focus is already on the new prototype with 850 cubic centimeters displacement for next year. Nevertheless, Aprilia will continue to work on the current motorcycle to not miss the chance for the world championship title.

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“Yes, we have started working eight days a week and 25 hours a day,” Bonora says with a smile. “So we are trying to make it happen. It is difficult, but we are trying. We know that.”

“It is something we have to put on the table. Every day we check if we are on the right schedule, on the right agenda with both projects. At the moment, we are quite well positioned to pursue both projects simultaneously.”

“It is necessary to pursue both projects at the highest level, both at the same time. That is a very hard task, very difficult. But we know our potential and keep going.”

The world championship table shows how close it is: After Aragon, Jorge Martin leads the riders’ standings with 256 points, followed by Ducati rider Marc Marquez with 237 points and Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi with 232 points.

Marquez had shortened the gap to Martin from previously 40 to 19 points in Aragon with a double win in the sprint and the main race, while Bezzecchi also moved closer with podium finishes.

Thus, the three title contenders are separated by only 24 points after 13 of 22 races, which noticeably intensifies the starting position for Aprilia. In the manufacturers’ standings, Aprilia has a 15-point lead over Ducati.

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