MOTOGP: Aprilia has rolled out a groundbreaking new aerodynamic fairing, complete with Formula One-inspired rear wings, marking a massive developmental leap for the 2026 season opener at the Valencia Test.
Aprilia made a bold statement today by debuting a completely revamped aerodynamic package on the RS-GP machine at the Valencia MotoGP test. This aggressive overhaul signals the team’s intent right from the first session of 2026 pre-season development.
The Italian manufacturer, which spent 2025 focusing on minor tweaks to its tail and seat unit aerodynamics, has now introduced substantial changes to the fairing, front wing, and, most strikingly, the rear of the bike.
🚀 Front End Overhaul
The front fairing features a brand-new wing design. Unlike previous iterations, the new front wing appears supported by two separate hangers positioned beneath a revised, non-rectangular air intake. The wing itself has a marginally more aggressive angle, and Aprilia has abandoned the dual-element mainplane.
Furthermore, a significant upper wing, last seen in 2024, has been brought back. While the endplates resemble the old design, the main aerodynamic surface is now far more substantial, indicating a focused push for front-end downforce.
🌬️ Downwash Ducts Get the Ducati Treatment
The side fairings incorporate new downwash ducts that are dramatically larger, mirroring the developmental direction seen on the dominant Ducati in recent seasons. These new ducts are ingeniously connected beneath the fairing, wrapping around the front of the bellypan in a manner similar to KTM’s recent design philosophy.
Notably, the team has chosen not to introduce new front wheel aerodynamics, electing instead to feed air directly into the enlarged side ducts.
🏎️ F1-Inspired Rear Wing Stuns Paddock
The most visually arresting element is the addition of a radical rear wing—a component unlike anything previously witnessed in the premier class.
Its endplates bear a strong resemblance to the large, flat, and square designs used in the 2009–16 era of Formula One. These endplates extend down far enough to cover the sides of the bike’s main tail section. This design appears calculated to generate crucial mid-corner downforce, compensating for the removal of the ‘stegasaurus’ wings Aprilia had been experimenting with mid-season.
Between these unique endplates is a dual-mainplane wing, likely aimed at improving rear stability under braking—a key concern raised by new riders Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin since first testing the RS-GP.
The performance of this radical package will determine its longevity into the 2026 season. At the time of writing, Marco Bezzecchi is demonstrating the bike’s potential, holding the second-fastest time with a 1:29.684, trailing only Pedro Acosta by 0.093 seconds.
