Aprilia “benefitting” from Marc Marquez’s 2026 MotoGP struggles

Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola admits the brand is “benefitting from the fact that Marc Marquez is clearly not in top form”, but insists “we’re there” in MotoGP 2026.

The Italian manufacturer leads all three world championships after four rounds of the current campaign.

Marco Bezzecchi dominated the opening three grands prix, setting a new record for laps led in the process, but was defeated at the Spanish Grand Prix by Gresini Ducati’s Alex Marquez.

Still, Bezzecchi was second in the Jerez race, which allowed him to extend his championship lead to 11 points heading to the French Grand Prix next weekend.

Speaking after the race, Rivola talked up Aprilia’s current form, but did caveat it with the fact that reigning champion Marc Marquez has been off-colour so far.

“No need to make any proclamations,” he told Sky Italy, after four Aprilias finished in the top six at Jerez.

“It's clearly important to get four bikes in the top six here in Jerez; that's a great sign.

“We're also benefiting from the fact that Marc Marquez is clearly not in top form; we've certainly done a great job this winter.

“We have two really strong riders, and I have to say that Trackhouse is coming along really well.

“Bezzecchi has the advantage of starting further forward than the others, so he benefits in the race.

“We're there, come on, we're there. It's a very long season, but we're confident that the work we're doing is going in the right direction.”

Marquez has yet to score a Sunday podium this season, though has two sprint victories to his credit, including an incredible crash-to-victory ride on Saturday at Jerez.

The factory Ducati rider has been struggling with the aftereffects of the shoulder he badly injured last October.

However, he was confident after last week’s test at Jerez on the Monday following the grand prix that Ducati had found something to be more competitive on the GP26.