A revealing analysis from Aprilia sheds light on their disappointing MotoGP weekend in Sepang, Malaysia. Aprilia's team boss, Paolo Bonora, has shared the results of their in-depth investigation into what went wrong, describing it as one of the team's toughest moments in the 2025 season.
The Italian team had been on a high, having won the Australian Grand Prix and consistently battling for podium finishes. However, their momentum came to a halt at Sepang, with rider Marco Bezzecchi failing to progress from Q1 and struggling to an 11th-place finish in the grand prix.
But here's where it gets controversial... Bonora revealed that their data analysis showed they arrived at the optimal bike setup too late, and also blamed tire choice for Bezzecchi's struggles on Sunday. He said, "It was probably one of our worst races during 2025. We analyzed the data thoroughly, and it's clear we didn't get the bike setup right until Sunday. And to be honest, the tire choice wasn't ideal either. With the information we had, it seemed like the best option, but further analysis suggests a different tire choice could have improved Marco's race position."
And this is the part most people miss... Bonora explained that the nature of the 2025 RS-GP means it takes longer for Aprilia to set up the bike at certain circuits. However, he believes this approach ultimately leads to better race preparation. "It's a different strategy, and we prefer this method because it helps us score more points overall, even if it means we're not the fastest on Fridays."
So, what do you think? Is Aprilia's approach a smart long-term strategy, or are they missing out on crucial early practice sessions? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
