Marco Bezzecchi
Aprilia are stamping their authority over Ducati in 2026 after dominating their home Grand Prix at Mugello, but they do not want any confrontation with their Italian rivals.
The Italian Grand Prix was completely controlled by Aprilia, as the Noale outfit secured pole position, the Sprint win and the race win on Sunday. They achieved their first front-row lockout at Mugello, with Marc Marquez qualifying three tenths behind polesitter Marco Bezzecchi.
Raul Fernandez won his first Sprint race for Trackhouse on Saturday, before Bezzecchi clinched the win on Sunday ahead of Aprilia teammate Jorge Martin. It was almost an Aprilia one-two-three, but Pecco Bagnaia denied Ai Ogura to secure P3 for Ducati.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Aprilia from the MotoGP team’s riders to hierarchy
Aprilia chiefs do not want to ‘rub it in’ with Ducati in 2026
The RS-GPs have been the class of the field in 2026. Aprilia have won five of the opening seven races, while the factory Ducati team have not registered a single win – Fabio Di Giannantonio of VR46 and Alex Marquez of Gresini have claimed the Borgo Panigale outfit’s two victories thus far.
Aprilia taunted Ducati at Mugello with a sticker that implied that they were afraid of their rival’s aero package. The Noale outfit have made significant strides forward in development, currently leading the teams’ championship by 150 points.
Many believe that Aprilia are the favourites for the 2026 title, but they do not want to ‘rub it in’ with Ducati. After speaking to the likes of Paolo Bonora and Massimo Rivola, journalist Mela Chercoles says that they do not want ‘confrontation’ with their rivals.
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He said via Motociclismo: “I’ve been chatting for a while with Bonora, he was absolutely delighted. Today they calmly faced the press, Rívola, [Fabiano] Sterlacchini, who I know is the technical director, and then Rívola spoke to me and Sterlacchini.
“I always enjoy chatting with Bonora. And I’ll tell you this: they don’t want to rub it in against Ducati, OK?
“No, the Aprilia guys aren’t looking for a confrontation; what they’re after is doing their best, and obviously they’re pleased with their victory.
“But this isn’t a Real Madrid vs Barcelona, or Barcelona vs Real Madrid, where there can be a bit of banter between them. It’s a different story.”
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