The latest market rumors, Rivola: "We're waiting for Marquez and Quartararo"

The 2026 MotoGP season has begun under a lucky star for the Aprilia men. The Noale brand has taken three wins in three races with Marco Bezzecchi, a Sprint triumph in Texas with Jorge Martin, and a string of podiums. CEO Massimo Rivola is thrilled with this World Championship start but prefers to keep his feet on the ground, while waiting to officially announce the major market coup: Pecco Bagnaia.

The results of this World Championship (and the overall standings) confirm the solid work Aprilia has done in recent years, already on the rise at the end of the 2025 MotoGP season. "It means that the rider choices were correct, as were the technical decisions made in Noale. It’s part of a process; it’s not something that happens by chance," Rivola told Sky Sport MotoGP. "We knew we were improving and finding better performance every year, so we’re proud of the work done. That said, we’ve only raced three times, so it’s still early. We know we’re not yet the absolute benchmark."

The battle with Ducati and Marc Marquez is still long and tricky—far too soon to declare victory. But well begun is half done, and the RS-GP finally has what it takes to aim for the MotoGP title. "I think looking at the standings now is the biggest mistake we could make. It’s natural and even interesting to do so, but we need to stay clear-headed. I don’t think Aprilia can be called an outsider anymore, because in recent years we’re the only manufacturer that has grown consistently. The others already had a big advantage and so, in a sense, it’s harder for them to improve. But it’s been clear for some time that we were catching up... I wouldn’t say we’re the favorites, but we are ahead."

While the tug-of-war between MSMA and Liberty Media remains unresolved, the rider market continues to solidify new signings. "I agree it’s early, but when you know changes are coming and there’s nothing really regulating this kind of market, the strongest protagonists make the first moves. The various Marquez, Fabio Quartararo, and the other top riders are the ones who move first, then everyone else follows. Maybe we were the first to announce Marco Bezzecchi’s renewal because last year a story began that, in a way, even exceeded expectations. We were very eager to see it through, and that’s what we did."

The 2027 MotoGP grid has yet to be fully drawn. The factory teams have already chosen their spearheads, but negotiations continue for the satellite squads. According to Spanish sources, David Alonso should move up to the premier class with the factory Honda team (alongside Quartararo). This would mean both current Honda factory riders, Joan Mir and Luca Marini, would depart. Valentino Rossi’s brother appears to have already secured his future with Yamaha. As for Joan Mir, he will have to look for another solution that satisfies him on the MotoGP starting grid, as he currently has no seat.

Meanwhile, Dani Holgado is also ready to make the jump to MotoGP, becoming a Ducati rider with the Gresini team. The squad will therefore maintain its relationship with the Borgo Panigale manufacturer, while bidding farewell to its two current riders, Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer. The former is destined for KTM, the latter for the Pertamina VR46 Racing Team. Enea Bastianini is expected to join Holgado at Gresini, returning to the team with which he took his first Top Class victory.