As Motorsport.com Italia reports, Marco Bezzecchi took victory in Qatar, but that brilliant result could not hide the reality that Aprilia's championship dream is effectively over. Marc Marquez is now just a single step away from securing his tenth career world crown, which would be his eighth in the premier class. That win from the rider from Rimini stopped the Ducati star from wrapping up the title right then and there. But Jorge Martin gritted his teeth through the pain of a fractured right radius to take third in the Sprint and seventh in the grand prix, and coupled with the controversial contact that forced Bezzecchi out of the short race, it pushed Marquez's advantage to +60 over the Madrid rider. That means winning the Sprint at Portimao in two weeks will hand the crown to Marquez regardless of what the House of Noale riders achieve.
Speaking to Sky Sport MotoGP, Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola took stock of a campaign that has yielded nine grand prix victories so far, calling it the strongest season in the manufacturer's premier class history. The glass is firmly half full, according to the boss, who praised the tireless work of the Noale factory and stated that he would much rather be in their current position than fielding slow machinery and slow riders.
With only two rounds remaining, the battle for the constructors' title is still very much alive, with the Borgo Panigale rivals holding a narrow lead of only 8 points. However, Rivola argued that the team championship carries more true value, drawing a parallel to Formula 1 since it combines the scores of both riders. He also called for a future rethink of the constructors' points system, noting that a single dominant rider can essentially carry an entire manufacturer. As he put it, four Aprilia machines sometimes simply are not enough to beat Marquez.
When asked whether Aprilia threw away their chance or Ducati simply took theirs, Rivola gave a remarkably candid verdict. This world championship was won outright by Marc Marquez, who made all the difference through his race craft and expert management. Pointing to the gaps behind him among the other Ducati riders, Rivola praised the Spaniard for taking 37 points when the machine was capable of it and surviving the toughest circuits intact. Hats off to his resume, his experience, and his media management, the Aprilia chief concluded.
Reflecting on the highs and lows of the 2026 season, Rivola pointed to the relentless development and the refusal to give up until the final race as his greatest sources of pride. While acknowledging that points were dropped along the way for various reasons, he views those lessons as invaluable for the future as the team heads into the final two rounds of the year.
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