Aprilia arrived at the Valencia MotoGP test with one of the most eye-catching updates of the whole paddock. The Italian team revealed a brand-new aerodynamic package, and it was easily the most radical change seen in the post-season tests.

The package included a new design for the front wing, bigger downwash ducts on the side fairing, and two new versions of a rear wing. These updates are not made for one single benefit. Instead, they are part of a larger plan to improve the bike in every part of the lap.

Aprilia Racing Technical Director, Fabiano Sterlacchini, explained that the team’s aim is to stretch the cover across all areas of performance. In simple terms, this means they want the aerodynamics to help everywhere, in braking, in top speed, in turning and in acceleration.

He said that increasing top speed does not always make the bike faster over one lap, but it does make racing easier. With higher speed, overtaking becomes less difficult, and riders can control battles better. However, more top speed normally creates more drag, which is bad for acceleration. On the other hand, drag can actually help stability during braking.

Aprilia’s goal is to balance all of these effects so that the bike works well in every part of the track.

Aprilia introduced these updates after one of the team’s strongest MotoGP seasons ever. The RS-GP has become one of the best bikes on the grid, standing next to Ducati. Aprilia riders Marco Bezzecchi and Trackhouse’s Raul Fernandez both won races in the last four rounds of the year, showing how far the team has come.

Even though Aprilia is now much closer to Ducati than before, Sterlacchini says that comparing themselves to Ducati is not the best way to keep improving. Instead, the team wants to focus on beating its own previous level.

He explained that real progress only comes from building a bike that is better than last year’s version, not simply chasing the competition. For 2026, Aprilia wants to start the season at least as strong as they finished 2025.

At the test, they also tried a new frame with Jorge Martin, along with more extreme adjustments that they normally would not test during a race weekend. All of this is part of preparing a much stronger package for next season.

Sterlacchini also pointed out that the other manufacturers are improving too. KTM continues to rise, especially with young star Pedro Acosta, while Honda showed small but important steps forward with riders like Joan Mir and Luca Marini. Because of this, Aprilia must pay attention to the whole championship, not only to Ducati. The MotoGP field is becoming more competitive every year, and finding small gains in every area is becoming more important than ever. Aprilia believes that by focusing on its own development and keeping a balanced aerodynamic philosophy, the RS-GP can continue to be one of the strongest bikes on the grid.