APRILIA WILL LET BOTH RIDERS FIGHT FOR THE MOTOGP TITLE

Aprilia will not impose team orders while both Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi still have a mathematical chance of winning the 2026 MotoGP title, CEO Massimo Rivola says.

Martin moved back to the championship lead at the Red Bull Ring, opening a 12-point advantage over reigning champion Marc Marquez. Bezzecchi finished the Austrian round with a double podium but sits third, 42 points behind his team-mate. With seven rounds remaining and as many as 259 points still available, Rivola believes both Aprilia riders should be free to pursue the title.

“As long as the riders have the math on their side, it’s right to give them a chance to compete,” he told Sky Italia. Rivola added that he hopes both remain in contention through the final race, making team orders unnecessary.

Bezzecchi’s current position contrasts with his earlier-season advantage: he had once been 102 points clear of Marquez. Rivola urged Aprilia to stay focused rather than dwell on past results or become carried away by its recent success. “Until we get it home, we’ve done nothing,” he said, while praising the strength of the bike and riders and acknowledging that their rivals are also formidable.

One of those challengers is KTM’s Pedro Acosta, who won at the Red Bull Ring. He is 72 points behind Martin and 30 behind Bezzecchi ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. Rivola warned that Acosta’s victory could make him an even greater threat: “When you win a race, you gain even more confidence.” He also pointed to Marquez’s continued danger, saying the championship promises to be a compelling fight.