Marco Bezzecchi
Michael Laverty says Aprilia have emerged from Ducati’s shadow in MotoGP despite a disparity in resources. The Noale factory have dominated the 2026 championship so far.
Marco Bezzecchi, who has won all three races, leads an Aprilia one-two in the riders’ standings ahead of Jorge Martin. The factory squad are also 81 points clear at the top of the teams’ championship, while Trackhouse are contributing to their lead in the constructors’.
Ducati have monopolised all three championships since Fabio Quartararo’s 2021 triumph on the Yamaha, but now there’s a very real chance their reign comes to an end.
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Michael Laverty praises Aprilia’s ‘exceptional’ MotoGP growth
Speaking on TNT Sports after the United States GP, Laverty said the dynamic between Aprilia and Ducati had transformed.
When Aprilia returned to MotoGP in 2012, they fielded two entries in the ‘Claiming Rule Teams’ category, effectively running tuned-up production engines. They were later designated as an ‘Open Entry’.
Both of these labels offered a competitive advantage, related to engine allocation, fuel loads and tyre compounds, to offset the gap to the factory squads.
- READ MORE: Aprilia mechanics were once ‘ashamed’ of their MotoGP project turning up to race weekends
Aprilia have been racing in their current manufacturer form since 2022. They are now at the forefront of aerodynamic innovation, pioneering developments like leg wings and even an F-Duct, having previously followed Ducati’s lead.
“I think back to 10 years ago, they were piggybacking Ducati’s tests, they were just watching what Ducati were doing,” said Laverty. “Now, they’ve actually stolen a march on them. They are possibly superior.
“It is exceptional to think a small racing factory that Aprilia had in comparison to Ducati, the might of them, all of a sudden they’ve overtaken them.”
Suzi Perry is hearing fans chant for Aprilia for the first time
Laverty’s TNT colleague Suzi Perry heard fans chanting for Aprilia in Austin. She may be a veteran of the MotoGP paddock, but she can’t remember this happening.
Previously, it was Ducati soaking up the adulation of the crowd. Having signed Martin in 2024, Aprilia have agreed a deal with Francesco Bagnaia for next year, another superstar acquisition that will enhance their status.
“It also feels like, in the fandom, there’s a slight shift. Never have I ever heard fans chanting Aprilia. I’ve heard them chanting Ducati. It just feels like there’s something happening, doesn’t it?”
In tandem with Aprilia’s growth, LCR rider Johann Zarco has predicted that Bezzecchi will become a household name.
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