Aprilia Racing starts 2026 season at Buriram

AFTER OFFICIAL TESTING, MARCO BEZZECCHI AND JORGE MARTÍN ARE READY FOR FIRST RACE OF SEASON
After two intense days of official testing at Buriram, Aprilia Racing is ready to take on the opening round of the 2026 MotoGP World Championship at the Chang International Circuit with Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martín.

Marco Bezzecchi had the opportunity to work on the RS-GP26 during the tests held between Sepang and Buriram. Over the five days of testing, the Italian rider showed strong harmony with the RS-GP26, consolidating the quality of the work carried out by the Racing Department of the Noale-based manufacturer and highlighting encouraging potential. Bezzecchi heads into the first race weekend in Thailand with great motivation, determined to confirm the speed and positive feeling that emerged during the Buriram tests, where he finished first at the end of the two-day session.

Jorge Martín, assessed by the FIM Grand Prix World Championship Medical Team on the day prior to the tests and declared fit to race, completed both days of testing in Thailand as scheduled, finishing in eighth position. For the Spanish rider, the main objective was to progressively rebuild confidence with the RS-GP, adopting an approach focused primarily on riding. Martín now heads into the first race weekend of the season, aiming to continue improving session by session and regain his competitiveness.

The Chang International Circuit in Buriram was built in 2014 and hosted its first MotoGP World Championship Grand Prix in 2018. The track is 4,550 metres long and features 12 corners – seven right-handers and five left-handers. The circuit layout alternates between very long straights and demanding braking zones.

The tests went quite well, we worked a lot and this helped us understand how the RS-GP26 is performing. I am satisfied, even though testing is very different from a race weekend. Now we have some time to work and analyse the data, trying to identify further areas for improvement. The guys have done a great job and I can’t wait to finally start racing.
I’m really keen to start the season after last year’s complications due to injuries. Physically, I feel much better, and it was very positive to take part in the pre-season tests at Buriram to prepare for the race as well as possible. We start the year with a great desire to do well: the bike has improved, and so have I. Everything is in place to enjoy a great season.

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