First victory for Aprilia Racing in Qatar

MARCO BEZZECCHI WINS THE QATAR GRAND PRIX, JORGE MARTÍN SEVENTH. RAÚL FERNÁNDEZ ALSO ON THE PODIUM, THIRD FOR SUPERFILE TRACKHOUSE MOTOGP TEAM

Aprilia Racing closed the weekend at the Lusail International Circuit in Qatar with a victory and two RS-GP26s on the podium.

Starting from pole, Marco Bezzecchi was the undisputed star of the race, leading from the first corner to the last. It was the Italian’s sixth win of the season, following those at Buriram, Goiânia, Austin, Mugello and Indonesia, and his twelfth in the top class. Bezzecchi became the first rider in history to achieve his first twelve top-class wins at twelve different circuits. The win also brought him to 30 career podiums in the top class and his twelfth of the season, drawing him level with Sete Gibernau, 28th on the all-time list in the top class.

Jorge Martín finished seventh after a gritty ride from the fourth row. The Spaniard showed real determination all weekend, taking third in the sprint as well and staying competitive despite the pain and not yet being back to full fitness after his crash in the Phillip Island sprint.

The SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team riders were also outstanding, with Raúl Fernández completing the Aprilia Racing podium in Qatar on his return from injury. Ai Ogura finished fourth. These results put four Aprilia Racing RS-GP26s in the top ten in the Qatar Grand Prix.

Bezzecchi’s win took Aprilia Racing to nine victories this season and 17 in the top class. The Qatar win also brought the Noale manufacturer to 311 wins in the FIM World Motorcycle Championship. It was Aprilia Racing’s best result ever at the Lusail circuit, where it had never previously stood on the podium in the long race.

“In the first few laps, I tried to push and get clear of the group. After that, it was all about managing the race, because with the tyre wear, front and rear, it wasn’t easy. I’m very happy with this win. We’ve done a good job and we’re enjoying it. Now we go home to rest, so we’re ready for Portimão.” – Marco Bezzecchi

“The fracture is improving every day, and I’m sure I’ll be close to 100% at Portimão. I gave it everything in the race, but starting that far back it was hard to try a comeback like Saturday’s. I couldn’t make the most of the bike’s potential, because physically I still didn’t have the strength to stop it the way I needed to. So I kept losing a few tenths. I gave it a go, and in the circumstances, I think seventh is a good result.” – Jorge Martin

“It has been a weekend of real emotion. Jorge, back at a track where last year he put his career at risk, rode heroically in the sprint, despite the fracture to his right radius. In the long race he rode through the pain once again, while Marco was simply perfect. A thoroughly deserved win, though it leaves a slightly bitter taste that he deserved to win the sprint as well. It was also good to see the SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team so competitive. This is a recognition for the work at Noale, where they keep refusing to give up. Congratulations to everyone.” – Massimo Rivola