Aprilia's MotoGP Ambitions Soar: The Secret Weapon Behind Their 2025 Success
Aprilia's CEO, Massimo Rivola, is brimming with optimism, and for good reason. The Italian manufacturer is making waves in the MotoGP world, and Rivola credits a key team member for their impressive form heading into 2025. But who is this secret weapon, and what's the story behind Aprilia's rise?
Following a stunning victory at the Australian Grand Prix, Rivola showered praise on Fabiano Sterlacchini, the team's new technical director. This comes after a challenging season for Aprilia, marked by injuries and a contract dispute involving the high-profile rider, Jorge Martin. Despite these hurdles, Aprilia has emerged as a serious contender, posing the biggest threat to Ducati's dominance.
Their success is undeniable. Aprilia secured wins at both the British and Australian Grand Prix (the latter thanks to Trackhouse), along with an impressive six other podium finishes. This surge in performance during the second half of the season has firmly established them as a consistent frontrunner. But what's the driving force behind this transformation?
Fabiano Sterlacchini, who joined Aprilia from KTM as technical director at the end of last year, replacing the Honda-bound Romano Albesiano, is the man in the spotlight. Rivola is quick to highlight Sterlacchini's impact. "Fabiano is doing a really great job," Rivola stated at the Australian Grand Prix. "He's really committed. He seized the opportunity."
However, Rivola is keen to emphasize that this is a team effort. "But I’m not a fan of the one-man show, so I would prefer to congratulate all of the people at Noale and here at the track who are following Fabiano’s route," he added. This highlights the importance of collaboration and the collective effort that goes into achieving such results.
"Many areas improved, but at this level, it’s never enough," Rivola continued, acknowledging the constant pursuit of improvement in MotoGP. "So, today, clearly, we were very fast with the bike, in Indonesia too. We will go to Sepang, and maybe it’s going to be different. The gaps are so narrow, so small, you cannot really enjoy it too much."
Aprilia's Vision for the Future
Rivola is setting ambitious goals. He believes Aprilia is ready to challenge Ducati in 2026 and expects them to be a major force next year. "I think that must be our target, and we cannot hide that we are happy to win one race or two in the season," he said. "We have all the potential. We have everything to fight for the victories. We have the riders."
He also touched upon the importance of key personnel. "We will have Jorge back. We need a proper pre-season, Jorge needs to do that. Marco will start with a season on the shoulders, so that will be big experience for him. But Jorge needs to learn to be patient and to work on that. But it’s also good to count on a strong satellite team. I’m really happy that Raul is now there, and I’m very confident Ai Ogura will come. Next year, Aprilia can be strong. We don’t know what the others will do, but according to the way we are working, we will be part of the game."
The Road Ahead
Aprilia's trajectory is undoubtedly exciting. With a strong technical team, talented riders, and a clear vision for the future, they are poised to make a significant impact on MotoGP. But can they truly challenge Ducati? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
