Ducati's dominance at the MotoGP Sepang test remains unwavering, but Aprilia is gaining ground. Despite Aprilia's belief that they are riding in Ducati's 'slipstream', the Borgo Panigale marque continues to set the standard in the championship. After a record-breaking season, Aprilia aimed to make significant strides in 2026, potentially challenging for the title. However, Ducati's relentless innovation has outpaced Aprilia's improvements, resulting in a faster and more adaptable Desmosedici GP. Aprilia's Massimo Rivola expresses satisfaction with the manufacturer's winter efforts but acknowledges the competition's progress post-Sepang test. He highlights the improvements across the board, including Honda's speed, Ducati's benchmark status, and KTM's advancements. Rivola predicts an intriguing championship with Ducati leading, but Aprilia remains determined to stay in the slipstream. The Sepang test showcased Ducati's prowess, with Gresini's Alex Marquez setting the fastest time. Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi was close behind, but in sprint race simulations, Ducati's dominance was evident, with Alex Marquez, Francesco Bagnaia, and Marc Marquez impressing with their lap times. Bezzecchi's performance was impacted by worn tyres, making direct comparisons challenging. Rivola acknowledges the need for a thorough analysis, as testing conditions can be deceptive. He emphasizes that Aprilia has a better bike than last year and remains optimistic, despite the competition's progress. The team will continue to refine their RS-GP at the Buriram test, with Rivola confident that 80-90% of the package is already defined. The focus shifts to Thailand, where Aprilia will introduce minor adjustments for the final development stage, adapting to the unique aero characteristics of the track.
