Aprilia\u2019s storming end to the MotoGP season came with a major caveat: Marc Marquez was missing.<\/p>\n
Ducati\u2019s new factory signing had dominated the year, winning eleven grands prix and fifteen sprints to seal the title with five rounds remaining.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But the new world champion was then injured in a collision with Aprilia\u2019s Marco Bezzecchi <\/a>at Mandalika, ruling him out of the final events.<\/p>\n Without Marquez, Ducati <\/a>claimed only one further grand prix win, courtesy of Alex Marquez at Sepang. Aprilia<\/a>, meanwhile, won at Phillip Island with Raul Fernandez, then Portimao and Valencia with Bezzecchi.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah, but we cannot forget that Marc was not here,\u201d cautioned Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola, when asked about the factory\u2019s late-season form.<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT<\/p>\n Bezzecchi\u2019s end-of-year charge – three race wins and another two podiums – would have been even better without a double long lap at Phillip Island, for colliding with Marquez.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the end, Marco was, I would say, the fastest rider out there,” said Rivola. “For me, Pedro [Acosta] delivered a very impressive performance. Alex [Marquez] was very constant, always there.<\/p>\n