Marco Bezzecchi
Aprilia look to have the upper hand in MotoGP in 2026, and they may already be looking like the ones to beat in the 850cc era in 2027.
The Noale outfit have made huge strides in recent months, having closed the gap to Ducati at the front. After a strong end to 2025, Aprilia have won all but one race thus far in 2026, with the factory Ducati team yet to score a podium.
Rank the rumoured MotoGP factory line-ups for 2027!
We're still waiting on announcements, but this is how it's shaping up!
Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin are separated by one point as the pair currently look like a shoo-in for the title. Their pace, as well as Aprilia’s eye-catching aerodynamic innovations, has given them a huge advantage.
They are the team to beat in 2026, whilst also working tirelessly behind the scenes on their new 850cc bike for the 2027 season, and it seems that Aprilia have the upper hand there as well.
Aprilia’s 2027 prototype is already ahead of Honda and Ducati
Teams have already started testing their 2027 bikes, with Aprilia drawing attention with their thin exhaust on their prototype.
Aprilia have also tested radical front aero which could be legal under the new regulations. According to a report from Moto.It, they have shown their ‘cards more clearly’ and have a ‘finished’ bike, rather than a ‘simple hybrid’.
Rank the rumoured MotoGP factory line-ups for 2027!
We're still waiting on announcements, but this is how it's shaping up!
Former engineer Giulio Bernardelle writes: “Aprilia is the one that has shown the most and seems to have the most defined prototype.
“Besides the reduction in lateral overhang, the most interesting thing is the return of that ‘whisker’ on the sides of the front air intake, in 2015 style. Solutions that, from the point of view of aerodynamic efficiency, are absolutely valid.”
The ‘visual impact’ of the 2027 Aprilia is ‘striking’, as it appears to be more compact. This could make them ‘significantly superior’ in handling, giving them the edge over rivals Honda and Ducati.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Aprilia from the MotoGP team’s riders to hierarchy
Honda and Ducati are testing hybrid versions of 2027 bikes
It was said that Honda were ahead with development in 2027, but it seems the tide has shifted to Aprilia, as the Japanese giants and Ducati test ‘hybrid versions’ of their prototypes.
This, according to Bernardelle, is a ‘logical choice’, adding: “They probably decided to test the engine first, to validate it and then define the rest based on that data. Changing too many parameters at once can sometimes lead to confusion.”
However, it could be causing problems. Honda test rider Takaaki Nakagami was pretty straightforward with his assessment of the 2027 bike, saying: “The first impression is that it’s super light.”
All teams will be working behind the scenes to perfect the new regulations, but it looks like Aprilia are moving closer to maintaining their advantage in MotoGP.
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