Aprilia “respecting” 850cc plan amid MotoGP title chance

Aprilia technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini insists the factory will not deviate from its 850cc development strategy despite leading the 2026 MotoGP standings.

Aprilia became the latest MotoGP manufacturer to release track images of its 2027 prototype during a debut with test rider Lorenzo Savadori at Jerez on Wednesday.

Just three days earlier, Aprilia suffered its first grand prix defeat of the season at the hands of Gresini Ducati’s Alex Marquez.

However, factory riders Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin still lead the world championship standings, putting Aprilia firmly in contention for a first premier-class title.

Given that historic chance, Aprilia needs to strike a delicate balance between committing development resources to this year’s 1000cc machine and working on the future 850cc/Pirelli bike.

“We made a plan at the beginning of how we should deploy the two projects together,” Sterlacchini said.

“In this moment, basically, we are respecting the plan, even though we are, let me say, succeeding more than we expected [this season].

“But anyway, we want to keep going with our plan because the resources that we are dedicating to the 850, for the moment, are okay.

“In the meantime, we have to not lose focus to try to improve and take the opportunity of a good moment with the 2026 bike.”

Aprilia continued development of its 1000cc bike during Monday’s Jerez test, which finished with an RS-GP sweep of the top three.

Bezzecchi is eleven points clear of Martin and 30-points ahead of the top Ducati of Fabio di Giannantonio, after four rounds.

Aprilia also leads the constructors’ and teams’ world championships.

After a wet debut on Wednesday, Aprilia’s 850 is due back on track for a final day of private testing on Thursday.

Although Bezzecchi has re-signed, Martin is set to be replaced by Ducati’s Pecco Bagnaia for 2027.