Aprilia's Surprising MotoGP Success: A Tale of Talent and Teamwork
Aprilia's Technical Director Fabiano Sterlacchini admits that Raul Fernandez's sudden surge to the top was a pleasant surprise. Fernandez, who had been struggling to break into the top-10, suddenly found himself in the hunt for victory, finishing second in two of the final four grands prix of the 2025 MotoGP season. This unexpected success has left Aprilia Racing in a state of excitement and curiosity.
Fernandez, in his fourth season in the premier class and third with the Trackhouse team, had previously achieved a best finish of sixth place in the 2023 Valencia Grand Prix. However, his performance in the second half of the 2025 season was a stark contrast to his earlier struggles. He finished inside the top-10 in six of the last seven races before the summer break, and his momentum continued after the summer break with a maiden Sprint podium in Indonesia.
The turning point came in Australia, where Fernandez secured a second-place finish in the Sprint and won the grand prix the following day. He then capped off the season with another podium finish in Valencia. Sterlacchini, reflecting on Fernandez's performance, acknowledges that his talent was evident in previous seasons, but the complexity of MotoGP projects and the need to manage various aspects like engine brake, traction control, and braking made it challenging to predict his sudden success.
Marco Bezzecchi, another Aprilia rider, also played a crucial role in the team's success. Bezzecchi's strong speed throughout the second half of the year, including two race wins in Portugal and Valencia, meant that Aprilia had two riders competing at the front even in the absence of Jorge Martin. Bezzecchi's double long lap penalty in Indonesia, which he should have avoided, further highlights the competitive nature of the sport.
The Valencia test provided an opportunity for Bezzecchi to reflect on Aprilia's achievements. He praised the team's work and the engineers' contributions, emphasizing the positive impact of Fernandez's speed on the team's performance. With Suzuki's exit and Marc Marquez's injury issues, Aprilia's success in 2025 has been a testament to their hard work and strategic planning.
