Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola has hailed new technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini as one of the key figures behind the factory’s resurgence in the 2025 MotoGP season, following its impressive victory at the Australian Grand Prix.
Despite enduring a challenging year marked by injuries and a contract dispute with star rider Jorge Martin, Aprilia has emerged as Ducati’s strongest rival, claiming wins at both the British and Australian Grands Prix—along with six additional podiums.
Sterlacchini, who previously worked with KTM, joined Aprilia at the end of last season to replace Romano Albesiano, who departed for Honda. Rivola praised the Italian engineer’s impact and leadership, while also emphasizing the collective effort behind Aprilia’s success.
“Fabiano is doing a really great job,” Rivola said at Phillip Island. “He’s very committed and seized the opportunity. But I’m not a fan of the one-man show—I prefer to congratulate everyone in Noale and at the track who follows his direction.”
Rivola credited the team’s improved performance to strong collaboration across departments, adding that competition remains incredibly tight at the top.
“Many areas improved, but at this level, it’s never enough,” he said. “We were very fast here and in Indonesia, but at Sepang it could be different. The gaps are so small—you can’t relax too much.”
Looking ahead, Rivola reiterated that Aprilia aims to consistently challenge Ducati by 2026, with a strong belief that they will remain “part of the game” next year based on current progress.
“We have all the ingredients to fight for victories—the bike, the riders, and a motivated team,” he said. “Jorge will return stronger after a proper pre-season, and Marco will bring more experience. With Raul performing well and Ai Ogura joining, I’m confident Aprilia can be a real contender in 2026.”
