– Aprilia continues to use the remaining races of the current MotoGP era intensively for aerodynamic development. Although a new generation of motorcycles will begin in 2027 with the significantly changed technical regulations, the manufacturer continues to work on details of its current RS-GP.
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In Aragon, Aprilia presented a new solution for the rear area of the motorcycle. Marco Bezzecchi was particularly satisfied with the concept.
The Italian already appeared in the first free practice with a newly designed rear section to directly compare it with the previous standard version. Afterwards, the new variant remained on his motorcycle throughout the weekend.
Bezzecchi keeps the new aero solution
This is remarkable in that Jorge Martin also tried the new version but initially did not continue to use it after the test on Friday afternoon. In contrast, Bezzecchi apparently made the decision faster.
The solution developed by technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini and his team received immediate green light. The new component was then also used on Bezzecchi’s second Aprilia motorcycle. This made it clear that it was not just a short-term comparison test.
The goal of the development is primarily to improve the behavior of the motorcycle at the rear and to provide more stability to the rear end. Bezzecchi was able to demonstrate this effect of the new aerodynamics on the track as well.
The injured Aprilia rider secured pole position in Aragon and set a new absolute lap record with 1:44.962 minutes. In qualifying, he was thus 0.089 seconds faster than world champion Marc Marquez on the Ducati.
The strong form of Aprilia was also confirmed during the rest of the weekend. Bezzecchi finished third in both the sprint and the Grand Prix.
New shape is meant to control airflow
Visually, the new rear section differs significantly from the previous version. The already known small double-decker wing remained in the upper area. The main change, however, concerns the side elements.
They were redesigned into a kind of flow channel. The geometry is intended to create a Venturi-like effect and guide the airflow more precisely through the rear area.
The technical approach pursues two interconnected goals: On the one hand, the aerodynamics should generate additional downforce on the rear wheel. On the other hand, the motorcycle should become more stable and the rear tire less heavily loaded or preserved. A more even load could especially help control tire wear over longer race distances.
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Rear wing and “Leg Wings” work together
The development is not limited to the new rear section alone. With the introduction of the new concept, the so-called “Leg Wings,” the aerodynamic wings below the motorcycle seat, were also revised.
This is an important indication of how the concept works: The individual aero elements are not developed in isolation but are part of a common flow concept. The newly designed elements are intended to generate as controlled an airflow as possible together with the rear section.
Aprilia is trying to improve the balance of the RS-GP over a larger range. This was particularly relevant in Aragon. The track is traditionally not considered an easy venue for Aprilia, yet the RS-GP presented itself as competitive there.
Aprilia uses every chance before new rule era
The development also shows how intensively Aprilia continues to develop the current MotoGP generation until the end of the existing regulations. Because although behind the scenes the prototype for the new technical regulations from the 2027 season is already being worked on intensively, the manufacturer does not want to miss the chance for the first MotoGP world championship title in the company’s history.
“Yes, we have started working eight days a week and 25 hours a day,” says Aprilia’s racing director Paolo Bonora with a smile to the official MotoGP website. “So we are trying to make it. It is difficult, but we are trying. Because we know what it is about.”
Bonora emphasizes that every day it is checked whether both projects are still on schedule. “At the moment, we are quite well positioned to advance both at the same time. It is necessary to continue both at the highest level. That is difficult, but we know our potential.”
The development of the new rear section is therefore more than just another aerodynamic update. Aprilia is trying to extract every possible tenth of a second from the current RS-GP without neglecting development for 2027.
Will the manufacturer thus gain the decisive advantage in the title fight? Since the summer break, Ducati has not introduced any major updates, while Aprilia has added smaller aerodynamic changes in Silverstone and the new rear wing in Aragon.
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Bezzecchi’s quick decision to continue using the construction directly indicates that Aprilia has made noticeable progress with the concept.
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