The 2025 MotoGP season has witnessed a remarkable shift in fortunes for the Aprilia team, but not in the way one might expect. Typically, this time of year finds Aprilia grappling with the challenges of inconsistent performance and unexplained technical issues, often leading to wasted potential. However, this season, the narrative has taken an intriguing turn, with the focus now on the riders and their ability to capitalize on a potentially championship-winning bike.
The 2025 Aprilia RS-GP has undergone a remarkable transformation, shedding its reputation for excelling only at specific circuits and instead delivering consistent, all-around performance. This evolution has positioned Aprilia as a genuine threat to Ducati's dominance, especially when all the pieces fall into place.
The key question arises: why hasn't Aprilia capitalized on this opportunity? The answer lies in the inconsistent performances of its riders, who seem determined to sabotage their own success. The Indonesian Grand Prix serves as a prime example, where Marco Bezzecchi's unnecessary overtake attempt on Marc Marquez not only ended his chances of victory but also left both riders stranded in the gravel trap. This incident, coupled with Jorge Martin's crash at Motegi, highlights a common issue of impatience among the Aprilia riders.
With the season drawing to a close, the pressure is on for Bezzecchi and Martin to showcase their true potential. However, their slow start and Martin's annus horribilis have left them feeling the weight of missed opportunities. This sentiment was echoed by Aprilia Racing boss Massimo Rivola, who expressed his disappointment after a race where Aprilia's sole scorer, Raul Fernandez, could have secured a podium finish but for a clash with Luca Marini.
"We had the speed, and Marco was the fastest rider this weekend. The expectations were high, but sometimes things just don't go your way," Rivola said. While racing is unpredictable, Aprilia deserves better, and its riders need to learn from their mistakes and seize the opportunities that their exceptional bike presents.
