As Motorsport.com reports, Marco Bezzecchi stepped up to test a brand-new tail unit on his Aprilia RS-GP at the Red Bull Ring. With the Noale factory pushing hard to keep up its championship charge, Bezzecchi took charge of evaluating this latest aerodynamic piece alongside test rider Lorenzo Savadori, while Jorge Martin will look at the new setup later on.
Even with an eye already turning toward the upcoming 850cc ruleset, Aprilia refuses to abandon the current RS-GP26. The Italian squad is throwing everything at the title fight against Ducati and Marc Marquez, hoping a concerted team effort can halt the Spaniard's momentum. In the riders' standings, Martin holds the top spot with a narrow 12-point gap over reigning champion Marquez, while Bezzecchi sits third on the sister machine, 42 points back from the lead.
According to the report, the Italian manufacturer stands alone as the only factory capable of tailoring its motorcycle to individual circuit layouts. Technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini is currently juggling dual duties, overseeing the group focused on next-generation 850cc machinery while ongoing development of the current MotoGP beast continues in tandem. Under Massimo Rivola, a tight-knit atmosphere guides the garage, even with the inevitable intra-team battle between the factory riders.
On track at the Red Bull Ring, Bezzecchi's machine sported two extra flaps sitting just ahead of the supports for the two-element rear wing. These curved profiles interact directly with the rear-wing assembly, echoing design cues spotted on Marquez's Ducati Desmosedici. The setup aims to smooth out airflow across the tail, boosting straight-line aerodynamic efficiency and generating a touch more local downforce at high lean angles.
Inside the team, Bezzecchi is valued as a brilliant development rider. His acute sensitivity to machine changes and his smooth partnership with test rider Savadori have made him the spearhead for Aprilia's technical evaluations since last year. Martin, meanwhile, prefers a different approach, chasing a comfortable base setting and altering his bike as little as possible once found. The Spaniard trusts Bezzecchi's feedback completely, choosing to wait until a future weekend before trying updates his team-mate has already cleared.
