Jerez, Spain : Aprilia stole the spotlight at MotoGP’s first official in-season test of the year at the Circuito de Jerez-Ángel Nieto, showcasing an aggressive aerodynamic evolution and locking out the top three times in a statement of intent.
The Japanese rider Ai Ogura topped the timesheets with a 1:35.944 lap, narrowly edging team-mate Raul Fernandez by just 0.005 seconds to complete a stunning 1-2 for the Trackhouse MotoGP Team Aprilia squad. Both Trackhouse riders were the only competitors to dip under the 1m36s barrier on the day.
Behind them, Marco Bezzecchi – the current championship leader – ensured an all-Aprilia podium by posting the third-fastest effort for the factory Aprilia Racing outfit.
Radical Aero Upgrades at the Fore
Aprilia’s latest aerodynamic package drew attention throughout the Jerez test. The Noale-based manufacturer brought a new suite of aero components, including revised upper screen wings mounted around the fairing that are designed to improve airflow and stability at speed — a continuation of Aero development that the team has been refining since last season.
Team engineers believe these solutions are helping erase what had been a clear Ducati advantage in the early rounds of the season, giving Aprilia a sharper tool as the 2026 championship progresses.
Testing Versus Race Pace
While Aprilia’s test pace was dominant, the best laptime still remained a couple of tenths down on the benchmark from the Spanish GP weekend — Alex Marquez’s fastest practice time. Nonetheless, the improvements over the recent race pace marked significant progress for Aprilia’s RS-GP machine.
Behind the Aprilias, Marc Marquez was the quickest Ducati on the day in fourth, followed by Pedro Acosta aboard the KTM and Alex Marquez in sixth.
Quick Results Snapshot – Jerez Test (Top 6)
Ai Ogura (Trackhouse Aprilia) – 1:35.944
Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse Aprilia) – +0.005
Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) – +0.328
Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo) – +0.333
Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM) – +0.355
Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati) – +0.465
With Le Mans looming as the next round of the 2026 world championship, Aprilia’s performance in Spain signals a renewed technical momentum.
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