Why Aprilia “needs to be extremely careful” to uphold MotoGP dominance in Brazil

Aprilia’s Jorge Martin has warned “we’ll need to be extremely careful” with set-up feedback during the upcoming MotoGP Brazilian Grand Prix as “there’s a lot to get dialled in”.

MotoGP returns to Brazil for the first time since 2004 this weekend at the Ayrton Senna circuit in Goiania, which previously hosted races between 1987 and 1989.

The predominantly right-handed layout of the circuit looks set to pose a challenge to the teams and riders in preparing their bikes for the grand prix.

Michelin is due to bring an expanded tyre range, as well as the stiffer rear casing it raced at the Thai Grand Prix, and on which Aprilia seemed to have an advantage over its rivals.

One-time world champion Jorge Martin was fourth in Thailand despite completing just two days of pre-season testing, and is looking to build on that in Brazil.

However, he has warned that caution will be needed when providing feedback on the bike at the new circuit.

“I'm very excited to get started on this new track, and I’m confident that the work done in Thailand will give us a good base to work on in Brazil as well,” he said.

“We’ll need to be extremely careful to provide the right feedback, because a new track is always demanding, and there will be a lot of things to get dialled in.

“However, I think that together with Marco’s team, we’ll be able to be competitive. I can’t wait to get to Brazil. It’s a country that I really like a lot.”

“No lack of motivation” after Thailand win

Aprilia comes into the second round of the 2026 campaign looking to build on its victory with Marco Bezzecchi in Thailand.

Across the Thailand weekend, Bezzecchi and Aprilia looked strongest, with only a crash in the sprint denying him the chance for a clean sweep at Buriram.

With the layout of the track and the tyre allocation favouring the RS-GP, Bezzecchi says there is “no lack of motivation” within Aprilia coming to Brazil.

“I’m extremely happy to be going to Brazil, and I’m curious to discover this new track,” the Italian noted.

“I’m sure it will be great to race in a new country and meet new fans, so I’m highly enthusiastic.

“We’re hoping to have a good weekend and to work well: there is no lack of motivation on the entire team’s part.”

Bezzecchi is seven points down in the standings after the Thailand weekend, with a win in the sprint and second in the grand prix putting KTM’s Pedro Acosta top of the championship for the first time in his career.

In Thailand, Bezzecchi became the first Aprilia rider in history to win three consecutive races, having taken victories at the end of last season in Portugal and Valencia.