Absolute domination is a rare beast in MotoGP, but Aprilia just pulled off something astonishing. According to Motorsport.com Italia, the House of Noale achieved a historic first in Indonesia by locking out the top four positions with their RS-GP machines, bouncing back from a bruising Saturday in style.
Saturday's Sprint had threatened to unravel their weekend entirely. Jorge Martin saw a victory slip away due to a front tyre pressure miscalculation, while an opening-lap collision between Marco Bezzecchi and Raul Fernandez sparked instant friction. Technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini admitted that racing so close to the limit inevitably invites trouble, but praised the team's ability to reset alongside Massimo Rivola to fix both issues before Sunday's masterclass.
At a certain point we will have to draw a line, make a decision and give orders, because it's part of this sport and so let's see,
The tension from that Saturday clash did not go unnoticed, particularly between Bezzecchi and Fernandez. The team swiftly held a summit with all their riders to address the situation, stressing the need for synergy across both Aprilia and Trackhouse Racing as the championship fight intensifies.
That fight is razor-thin at the top. With five grands prix remaining, Martin holds a slender advantage of just two points over Marc Marquez, while Bezzecchi's victory in Indonesia pulls him to 46 points adrift of the lead. Given those stakes, Sterlacchini confessed that team orders might become a necessity within a couple of races. While riders are naturally driven by ego and individual goals—noting Raul Fernandez's target of finishing inside the top five in the world championship—the technical boss made it clear that a line will eventually have to be drawn.
"At a certain point we will have to draw a line, make a decision and give orders, because it's part of this sport and so let's see," Sterlacchini stated, adding that they will assess how the next one or two races unfold before making any definitive moves.
Addressing chatter surrounding Michelin's reinforced rear casing designed for high temperatures, Sterlacchini dismissed the idea that the rubber alone explains Aprilia's stellar form. Pointing to past speed at circuits utilizing standard tyres like Austin, Mugello, and Le Mans, he insisted their performance is far more a product of track layout, rider form, and finding the setup sweet spot early in the weekend than any single technical variable.
