Sports · Motorsport · 12 hrs ago
Aprilia weighs rider orders as MotoGP title fight tightens
Aprilia is considering instructions for its riders as it competes with Ducati for the MotoGP titles.
The discussion follows a strong Indonesian Grand Prix, where Aprilia riders finished first through fourth.
Jorge Martin leads Marc Marquez by two points in the riders’ standings, while Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi is third, 46 points behind Martin.
Aprilia says its riders are free to race for now, but it may set guidelines to prevent them from compromising one another.
The team also faces a close manufacturers’ championship, with 12 points separating Aprilia and Ducati.
Five rounds remain, and Aprilia says it has not set a deadline for deciding whether to introduce orders.
The next round is the Australian Grand Prix, scheduled in a fortnight.
Aprilia is considering team guidelines to protect its MotoGP championship chances but says its riders are currently free to race.
Jorge Martin leads the riders’ standings by two points over Marc Marquez after the Indonesian Grand Prix.
Marco Bezzecchi is third, 46 points behind Martin.
Aprilia won the Indonesian Grand Prix in a historic 1-2-3-4 finish.
The manufacturer is also 12 points behind Ducati in the manufacturers’ standings, with five rounds remaining.
- Who
- Aprilia, whose riders include Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi, is weighing possible team guidelines.
- What
- The manufacturer is considering orders to strengthen its championship chances, but says its riders remain free to race for now.
- When
- The discussion follows the Indonesian Grand Prix. Five rounds remain in the season.
- Where
- The Indonesian Grand Prix took place at Mandalika.
- Why
- Aprilia wants to protect its chances in the riders’ and manufacturers’ title fights against Ducati.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Raul Fernandez and Bezzecchi retired after being caught up in an opening-lap incident.
Aprilia held talks to address tensions after the sprint incident.
Aprilia finished first through fourth, with Marco Bezzecchi taking the win.
Jorge Martin led Marc Marquez by two points, while Aprilia was 12 points behind Ducati in the manufacturers’ standings.
- Riders’ standings lead
- Jorge Martin leads Marc Marquez by 2 points
- Bezzecchi’s position
- Third, 46 points behind Martin
- Indonesian Grand Prix result
- Aprilia finished 1-2-3-4
- Manufacturers’ standings gap
- Aprilia trails Ducati by 12 points
- Rounds remaining
- 5
What people are saying
For the moment, as our CEO Massimo [Rivola] declared, it is completely free
clearly, we start to discuss between us to put some directive guidelines to avoid problems
We haven’t set a deadline, but between now and a few races from here, the time may come to have a discussion with Massimo and define a team strategy with no ‘ifs’ or ‘buts’
Sources
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