Marc Marquez threat prompts Aprilia upgrade push at Aragon
Marquez is back in the title fight and Aprilia have responded (Credit: Apex Agency)
15:32, 28 Aug
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Connor Andrews is Formula 1 and MotoGP writer for GPblog and various outlets. Having worked in motorsport for 15 years for leading companies, he has interviewed the sports biggest names and attended multiple Grands Prix.
Aprilia have breathed extra air into their MotoGP title challenge ahead of what’s expected to be a tricky weekend.
The Italian squad currently lead the riders’, teams’ and constructors’ championships and are well on course for their first premier-class titles in each category.
Factory riders Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi are currently first and second in the riders’ championship, followed by satellite Trackhouse talent Ai Ogura.
However, in recent months they’ve come under threat from Ducati’s Marc Marquez, who won three out of four races to enter the title fight.
Last time out at the British Grand Prix, Aprilia fought back, but now in Aragon, Marquez is expected to dominate at a track where he always leads the way.
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Aprilia introduce new aerodynamics for difficult Aragon test
Yet his title rivals are making sure Ducati don’t gain any momentum with a number of new upgrades.
Photographers were gathered around the garage as Aprilia showed off two new aerodynamic advancements that came with some proclamations from their executives.
Explaining a new rear wing part, team manager Paolo Bonora told MotoGP’s live channel: “Here in Aragon, we suffered a bit in the past.
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“To be honest, we improved the bike in the weak points where we know that we suffered the most last year.
Aprilia continue to roll out aero tweaks (Credit: Apex Agency)
“In particular, when there is a tight corner in the hard braking zone, and where it is necessary to accelerate from low speed. We have seen since the first part of the season that we improved a bit there. We would like confirmation here in Aragon. But we know it's a tough race.
“We know that there are competitors that are better than us here. But with this in mind, it's necessary to make the best that we can and don’t change the bike too much.
“We have something to test in aerodynamics, probably you have already seen the rear tail. But we would like to keep the bike stable and, in particular, the riders stable.”
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Aprilia working 'eight days per week' in MotoGP title push
Bonora then went further on Aprilia’s determination to make 2026 a success, and how difficult that is to balance with next year’s sweeping regulation changes.
He added: “We know that we have the opportunity and we don't want to lose this opportunity.
“For sure, the bike is very good, but we know that the competitor [Ducati] is at very high level. We know that we have to improve race by race. We don't stop improving.
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“The difficulty is that there is also a new project, the 850. So, we have two projects in our department, and it's necessary to follow the two projects at the maximum level, both at the same time. It is a very hard job, very difficult, but we know our potential and we continue to do.
“We started to work eight days per week and 25 hours per day! We are trying to do this. It’s difficult, but we are trying!
“Every day we are checking if we in the correct timetable, in the correct agenda with our two projects.
“At the moment, we are quite good developing both projects at the same time, and during the season, the last part in particular, we will check and we will update our plans.”
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Marc Marquez confident of fighting for Aragon victory
Despite Aprilia’s statement of intent, Marquez is still the firm favourite in Aragon even with his struggles at Silverstone.
Explaining why, he said: “In the end, there's pressure on everyone, as always, but last year I was riding more easily.
“At Silverstone, even giving it my all, I was seventh; a small problem is enough to slow down the pace, but here I should be doing better because there are left-handers, which are good for me.
“If I feel good with the bike and can bring out all my potential, I can fight for the win. Then we'll see about the next races.”
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