Aprilia trails Ducati by eight points in MotoGP constructors' race

Aprilia's RS-GP26 is closing on Ducati in the MotoGP constructors' standings, with Ducati leading 569 points to 561 after the Qatar Grand Prix, which Marco Bezzecchi won ahead of Marc Marquez. Portimao and Valencia remain, and the constructors' title is still open.

In the riders' championship, Marquez leads Jorge Martin 431 points to 371 and could secure the title at Portimao. Aprilia's team principal Massimo Rivola has faced criticism over the lost points, but the analysis argues that consistency, race management, injuries and crashes also played a part. Bezzecchi has won six Grands Prix this season, while Martin has contended with physical problems and injuries.

Rivola acknowledged Marquez's superiority in managing the championship after Qatar. In that race Aprilia placed four bikes in the top seven.