Aprilia riders Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi seized the front row in both races of the British Grand Prix, locking out the podium and cementing a stunning rebound.
Aprilia’s Resurgence
After recent setbacks, the factory team’s confidence surged at Silverstone. Martin switched to an older‑spec machine augmented with the latest aero kit, instantly finding his best form and outpacing the field on Saturday before a minor launch mistake on Sunday left him a point shy of a clean sweep.
Bezzecchi’s double podium was a return to form that sidestepped the pain from a dual‑body injury sustained at the Sachsenring. In spite of limited strength, he held second place through the sprint and maintained third in the main race, now pulling his championship challenge back to the front.
Together, the pair have extended Martin’s advantage to 31 points from the previous 14, widening the gap to rivals and keeping Aprilia’s momentum tangible.
Ducati’s Decline
Marc Marquez earned only 10 points over the weekend, his second‑lowest tally after the opening Thai GP where a puncture forced a retirement. The result drops him to fourth in the standings, 40 points behind the leader.
Francesco Bagnaia struggled throughout, failing to qualify for Q2 and crashing during the sprint’s final laps. A mid‑race lapse during the Sunday feature saw him drop from 15th to the back, signalling potential issues linked to his recent arm‑pump surgery.
Alex Marquez’s duel with Marco Bezzecchi produced a brief third‑place attack before a mistake erased his advantage, illustrating Ducati’s slide in the battle against Aprilia.
KTM and Trackhouse: Fresh Momentum
Trackhouse’s Raul Fernandez turned frustration into triumph after a tyre‑selection setback and a crash mid‑sprint. Harnessing early speed and superior tyre management, he captured his first Grand Prix victory and added a second Australian title to his résumé.
The win places Fernandez ahead of the field, giving KTM a tangible challenge to the Aprilia‑led fight for supremacy.
Ai Ogura’s Setback and Rivalry
Ai Ogura’s first major error came at the 12th round of the season. A stuck ride‑height device and a lapse at the halfway point cost him a start‑line position and prevented any chance of a strong finish.
Now 37 points off the top, Ogura must bridge a widening gap as Martin continues his high‑pace campaign.
The British GP not only cemented Aprilia’s dominance but also highlighted the volatility that will shape the season’s second half.
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