Aprilia introduced a new aerodynamics package at the Valencia MotoGP test, the most radical evolution brought to the post-season test of any manufacturer, but its purpose was not to improve one specific area.<\/p>\n
The new aerodynamic package<\/a> included a modified front wing, updates to the side fairing that utilises larger downwash ducts than the 2025 version, and two different rear wing options.<\/p>\n Aprilia Racing<\/a> Technical Director Fabaiano Sterlacchini explained that the new package is a part of a wider aerodynamic development philosophy aimed at increasing performance in all areas of riding, rather than in one specific moment.<\/p>\n \u201cBasically, one of the characteristics of the aerodynamic development is […] to \u2018stretch the cover\u2019,\u201d Sterlacchini said, speaking after the Valencia test.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, for example, it\u2019s quite clear that you have a better top speed that, in terms of performance, you are not improving a lot the lap time but it\u2019s more easy to overtake and manage the race.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n \u201cBut, in the meantime, to increase the drag \u2013 that is the opposite to what you need in the top speed \u2013 you can improve your performance during the braking.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cSo, we try to stretch the cover in all the areas to have the right aerodynamic coefficient in any phase of the riding.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJust one way to increase performance\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n Aprilia\u2019s aerodynamic update came at the end of a season where it established the RS-GP as one of the two standout bikes in MotoGP<\/a>, alongside the Ducati Desmosedici, with victories coming from both Marco Bezzecchi<\/a> and Raul Fernandez<\/a> in the final four races of the season.<\/p>\n Although Aprilia has clearly closed the gap to Ducati compared to 2024, Sterlacchini believes that comparing itself to Ducati is not the way to continue progressing for Aprilia.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is just one way to increase your performance: it\u2019s to increase your performance compared to your previous bike,\u201d said Sterlacchini.<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n \u201cSo, obviously, we are looking to our level now. It\u2019s important that in 2026 we start at least at the same level [that] we ended the [2025] season.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWe brought here some solutions, you saw something on the aerodynamics.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cBut we tested also a different frame with Jorge [Martin]; we did some adjustments, more radical to what you would normally do during the weekend, in preparation of next season.<\/p>\n \u201cSo, for sure, we showed that we improved a lot our level and we are more close to the others.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cTo be honest, looking also to the performance of Honda and KTM \u2013 especially Acosta with KTM, Mir and sometimes also Marini [with Honda] \u2013 they show also growth. So, we have to refer to the rest of the championship, not just to Ducati.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n \u201cBut, anyway, we have to refer to our level to improve where we are.\u201d<\/p>\n Subscribe to our MotoGP Newsletter<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Aprilia introduced a new aerodynamics package at the Valencia MotoGP test, the most radical evolution brought to the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":298770,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[572],"tags":[18009,10669,64,63,806,805,803,804,85],"class_list":{"0":"post-298769","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-motosport","8":"tag-aprilia","9":"tag-aprilia-racing","10":"tag-au","11":"tag-australia","12":"tag-motor","13":"tag-motor-sports","14":"tag-motosport","15":"tag-motosports","16":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/298769","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=298769"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/298769\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/298770"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=298769"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=298769"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=298769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}