Aprilia on Team Orders for Martin and Bezzecchi

With the 2026 MotoGP championship heading towards a thrilling conclusion, the Aprilia Racing factory team has clarified its position on a potentially decisive factor: team orders. The Italian manufacturer has confirmed that its two riders, championship leader Jorge Martin and third-placed Marco Bezzecchi, will be free to race each other without interference.

This decision comes at a crucial point in the season. Both riders remain mathematically capable of winning the world title, and Aprilia has stated that as long as this is the case, the battle on track will be decided by the riders alone.

What are team orders?

If you’re new to motorsport, the term ‘team orders’ might be unfamiliar. In simple terms, it’s an instruction from a team to one of its riders to help their teammate during a race. This usually means asking the slower rider not to fight their teammate for position, or even to let them overtake.

The goal is to maximise points for the rider with the best chance of winning the overall championship for the team. While perfectly legal, team orders can be controversial, as fans generally want to see a fair fight between all competitors, including those on the same team.

What is the current championship situation?

The 2026 title fight is incredibly close. After fifteen rounds, Aprilia’s Jorge Martin leads the standings with 306 points. However, sandwiched between him and his teammate is the formidable Marc Marquez of the Ducati Lenovo Team, who sits in second place with 294 points.

Marco Bezzecchi, Martin’s teammate, is in third position with 264 points. With seven Grands Prix still to go, there are a huge number of points still available, and all three riders have a very real chance of becoming the 2026 World Champion.

AI

Why has Aprilia made this decision?

By ruling out team orders for now, Aprilia is putting its faith in pure competition. The team is allowing both of its star riders to fight for glory on their own merits, which is a stance many racing purists will appreciate. It shows immense confidence in both Martin’s and Bezzecchi’s ability to manage their rivalry professionally on the circuit.

This approach avoids favouring one rider over the other, which can help maintain a positive atmosphere within the garage. However, it also carries a significant risk. If Martin and Bezzecchi battle too hard and end up taking points away from each other, they could inadvertently open the door for their biggest rival, Marc Marquez, to take the lead.

What does this mean for the riders?

For Jorge Martin, the 2024 World Champion, this news is a double-edged sword. As the rider leading the championship, he has the most to lose. He knows he can’t rely on his teammate for help in holding back Marquez, but he also has the freedom to race flat-out without any complex strategies getting in the way.

For Marco Bezzecchi, this is fantastic news. He is still in with a strong chance of his first premier-class title and now has official clearance from his team to give it everything he’s got. He can attack in every race, aiming for wins to close the 42-point gap to his teammate without having to look over his shoulder for a pit board message asking him to hold back.

AI

How does this affect their main rival?

This decision will be music to the ears of Marc Marquez and the Ducati team. The nine-time World Champion is a master of playing the long game and capitalising on his rivals’ situations. He now knows that the two Aprilias ahead of and behind him in the standings may be more focused on each other than on him.

If the Aprilia riders engage in close battles, it could slow them down or lead to one of them making a mistake. Any points dropped by either Martin or Bezzecchi will be a direct gain for Marquez, who will be looking to pick up the pieces and forge a path to what would be his eighth premier-class title.

AI

Could Aprilia change its mind?

While Aprilia’s current stance is clear, it’s not uncommon for teams to reassess the situation as the season finale approaches. The team has specifically said there will be no orders while both riders are mathematically in contention.

If, with only a couple of races left, Bezzecchi is no longer able to win the title but Martin still can, the team may change its policy to give itself the best possible chance of securing the championship. For now, though, MotoGP fans can look forward to a thrilling, no-holds-barred fight between three of the best riders in the world.

Quick Takeaways

• Aprilia Racing will not use team orders while both its riders, Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi, can still mathematically win the 2026 title.
• Championship leader Martin and third-placed Bezzecchi are completely free to race each other for wins.
• The decision creates a fascinating dynamic, as the two teammates might take valuable points from one another.
• Their main rival, Ducati’s Marc Marquez, is currently second in the standings and could benefit from the internal Aprilia battle.