Aprilia Racing has lifted the curtain on the RS-GP26, the bike that will carry the Italian manufacturer into the 2026 MotoGP season, with Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martín once again leading the charge. Unveiled ahead of a campaign that builds on the most successful year in Aprilia’s MotoGP history, the RS-GP26 represents both continuity and evolution for a team firmly established among the sport’s front runners.
Visually, the new bike retains Aprilia Racing’s familiar colours but introduces a powerful new symbol to its livery: the winged lion. Drawn from Venetian heritage and closely linked to the region surrounding Aprilia’s Noale headquarters, the lion reflects values the team believes define its identity, including strength, determination and resilience. It is a statement of intent from a manufacturer that has steadily grown into a genuine MotoGP contender.
That confidence is rooted in results. The 2025 season proved to be a landmark year for Aprilia Racing, delivering second place in the Manufacturers Championship with a record-breaking 418 points. Marco Bezzecchi finished third in the Riders Championship, the best result ever achieved by an Aprilia rider in MotoGP. Across the season, the team claimed 19 podiums, including wins in both sprint and full-length races, alongside five pole positions. Aprilia also celebrated its 300th Grand Prix victory at the Australian round, later extending that tally to 302, cementing its status as the most successful European manufacturer in the history of the world championship.
For Irish MotoGP fans, Bezzecchi’s rise has been one of the standout stories in recent seasons, and the Italian rider heads into 2026 aiming to build on his best-ever campaign. Having firmly established himself as Aprilia’s benchmark rider, his focus now is on fighting consistently at the front and pushing for championship honours. Alongside him, Jorge Martín begins what is effectively a fresh chapter in his career. After a difficult 2025 hampered by injury, the Spanish rider arrives motivated and determined to show his true potential aboard the RS-GP26.
Behind the scenes, continuity remains key. Lorenzo Savadori continues in his vital role as test rider, providing crucial feedback and development input. Aprilia also maintains its close partnership with Trackhouse MotoGP Team, which fields Raúl Fernández and Ai Ogura. Rather than operating as a traditional satellite outfit, Trackhouse plays a strategic role in development, supplying valuable data that feeds directly into the evolution of the RS-GP.
Technically, the RS-GP26 is a significant step forward. Every area of the bike has been refined, from aerodynamics and chassis design to electronics and the V4 engine. Importantly, this machine represents the final evolution of the current MotoGP technical era. With major regulation changes coming in 2027, the RS-GP26 is expected to be the fastest prototype Aprilia has ever produced, benefiting from the full potential of advanced aerodynamics and 1000cc engine performance.
For 2026, Aprilia Racing enters the season with momentum, ambition and belief. The RS-GP26 is not just a new bike, but a clear signal that the Italian manufacturer intends to remain a major force at the sharp end of MotoGP.
