The 2026 MotoGP title battle is wide open, with Jorge Martin leading Marc Marquez by just two points after Aprilia’s memorable top-four finish at Mandalika. However, technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini has pinpointed a few races that may cause Aprilia extra anxiety as the season enters its crucial final stretch.
The championship will be decided over the next five rounds—Phillip Island, Sepang, Lusail (Qatar), Portimao, and Valencia. While Mandalika underscored Aprilia’s growing strength, things didn’t go entirely their way: missed opportunities in the Sprint meant Martin only just recovered ground lost to Marquez.
Asked about which circuits favor Aprilia versus Ducati, Sterlacchini acknowledged the unpredictability but singled out Sepang and Qatar as tracks of particular concern. Aprilia’s recent history at these venues includes lackluster results—no riders made it to Qualifying 2 at Sepang last year, and Lusail saw their best finish in ninth, while Ducati dominated both venues.
“These two are the tracks where we are a bit more concerned,” Sterlacchini told Sky. “We’re working to be as prepared as possible for Sepang. In Qatar, Jorge [Martin] didn’t race last year, so that adds to the challenge.”
Another factor: both Martin and Marquez missed most of these late-season rounds due to injuries last year, meaning limited experience on current machines.
For the other circuits, Aprilia feels “quite competitive”—with Valencia branded “neutral,” though Marquez has a reputation for excelling there.
Sterlacchini also noted Aprilia’s advantage of having multiple riders fighting at the front, helpful for team tactics as the season winds down. While team orders aren’t yet in play, Aprilia admits that could soon change to maximize their title hopes.
Meanwhile, Ducati could turn to riders like Alex Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia—both traditionally strong at Sepang—to support Marc Marquez’s championship bid.
As the grid heads into the final five rounds, every race will be vital—with Sepang and Qatar looming large in Aprilia’s title calculations.
