Aprilia's Analysis Unveils Challenges at Sepang MotoGP
Aprilia's team boss, Paolo Bonora, has shared the insights from their in-depth examination of the recent Malaysian MotoGP weekend, which he deemed as one of the most challenging races of the year 2025. The Italian motorcycle manufacturer faced a setback at Sepang, with Marco Bezzecchi struggling to 11th place after a disappointing Q1 performance.
Despite a strong start to the campaign, winning the Australian Grand Prix and consistently battling for podium positions, Aprilia's progress halted at Sepang. Bonora attributed this to the team's late arrival at the optimal bike setup, as revealed by their data analysis from Malaysia.
The boss explained, 'We arrived at the correct bike setup only on Sunday, which was too late to make a significant impact on the race.' He further elaborated on the team's tire choice dilemma, stating, 'After the race, we realized that the front tire selection was not ideal, as the soft tire would have been a better choice.' However, at the time, the team believed it was the best option based on the data available until Saturday night.
Bonora also addressed the longer setup process on Fridays at certain circuits, a characteristic of the 2025 RS-GP bike. He noted, 'It's a different approach to race preparation, and we find it more beneficial to score more points over time rather than being faster on Fridays.' This strategy shift has been a topic of discussion throughout the year, as the team adapts to the unique characteristics of the bike.
The analysis highlights the team's ongoing learning curve, as they strive to optimize performance at various circuits. Despite the challenges, Aprilia remains committed to their development and is confident in their ability to improve and compete at the highest level.
