Aprilia riders collapsed into a front‑row pile‑up at the start of the Hungarian Grand Prix, crashing all three models and surrendering the team’s lead.
Turn 1 Chaos Destroys Aprilia’s Grid
On the opening lap, Jorge Martin’s bike spun out of control along the ramp, taking Marco Bezzecchi with it. The impact sent Bezzecchi into Raul Fernandez and, with a spray of debris, brought Fermin Aldeguer and Fabio di Giannantonio into the melee. Only di Giannantonio managed to cross the line, while all other Aprilia riders retired.
Martin immediately apologized to Bezzecchi after both riders were checked by medical staff; scans showed no fractures.
Immediate Repercussions Across the Grid
Following the wreck, Ducati’s Marc Marquez claimed Aprilia’s third Grand Prix defeat of 2026. At the identical track, Martin would later receive a double long‑lap penalty for the Czech Grand Prix.
Rivola Blames Braking Technique
Team boss Massimo Rivola said Martin’s error at the resurfaced Turn 1 was the single factor responsible for the chain reaction. “If we go to Barcelona, we say that the first corner is too dangerous,” he said, adding that riders should take it “a bit easier” when they know the track conditions inside out.
Rivola compared the incident to last year’s Motegi sprint race, where Martin had missed the braking point and Bezzecchi suffered a collarbone injury. “In Japan, he overbraked; in Hungary, he didn’t use the front brake correctly at that section,” he explained. “It’s a smaller mistake, but the outcome is the same.”
Accepting the Accident, Apologizing to All
Rivola stated he has to accept the multi‑bike crash as a racing accident, while expressing frustration that the team’s own rider was involved. “The good aspect is that no one was badly injured,” he added. “We must avoid that kind of mistake at the first corner.”
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