Why Ducati stronghold Jerez presents Aprilia’s ultimate MotoGP test

The United States Grand Prix was widely seen as a major test for Aprilia - and with good reason. The Noale manufacturer arrived on the back of four consecutive grand prix wins in MotoGP, but to continue that streak it would have to beat Ducati's Marc Marquez at one of his favourite tracks.

In the end, the result could hardly have been better for Aprilia. Jorge Martin won Saturday’s sprint, while Marco Bezzecchi bounced back from a crash the previous day to win Sunday’s main race ahead of his team-mate.

Ducati, by contrast, failed to reach the podium, with Marquez - still not fully recovered from injury - finishing fifth behind Fabio Di Giannantonio.

After three flyaway rounds, the conclusion is clear: Aprilia is the team to beat. But as MotoGP returns to Europe for the Spanish Grand Prix on 24–26 April at Circuito de Jerez - Angel Nieto, the spotlight shifts to whether the Italian marque can deliver another statement result.

This is not simply about the oft-repeated idea that the MotoGP season truly begins in Europe, but rather Aprilia’s historical struggles at Jerez - a circuit that has been firmly Ducati territory in recent years.

Aleix Espargaró, Aprilia Racing

Foto de: Dorna

Across the last five seasons, Aprilia has managed just a single podium at the Andalusian venue. That came in 2022, when Aleix Espargaro finished third during a campaign in which he also won in Argentina and stood on the podium in Portimao, ultimately fighting for the title deep into the season.

Beyond that, Espargaro was Aprilia’s top finisher at Jerez in 2021 (sixth) and 2023 (fifth in the grand prix). In 2024, Miguel Oliveira was eighth in both the sprint and the main race with Trackhouse, while last year eighth place again marked Aprilia’s ceiling - courtesy of Bezzecchi on Saturday and Ai Ogura on Sunday.

That record stands in stark contrast to Ducati’s dominance at the circuit. The Borgo Panigale marque has won every Sunday race at Jerez since 2021, starting with a one-two finish led by Jack Miller ahead of Francesco Bagnaia.

Bagnaia followed up with victory in 2022, narrowly beating Fabio Quartararo - a reminder that Jerez has traditionally suited Yamaha’s strengths in cornering.

In 2023, Brad Binder gave KTM a brief breakthrough by winning the sprint, but Ducati struck back on Sunday with Bagnaia defeating Binder and Miller.

The 2024 edition marked a new level of Ducati dominance. While Martin won the sprint, Sunday saw Ducati lock out the entire top five: Bagnaia ahead of Marquez, with Bezzecchi, Alex Marquez and Enea Bastianini completing the clean sweep.

If that was impressive, 2025 raised the bar even further - at least in the sprint - as Ducati filled the top six positions. Marc Marquez led home brother Alex Marquez, Bagnaia, Franco Morbidelli, Fermin Aldeguer and Di Giannantonio.

Podio: ganador Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team, segundo Marc Márquez, Gresini Racing, tercero Marco Bezzecchi, VR46 Racing Team

Foto de: Dorna

Sunday’s race, however, proved more unpredictable. Marc Marquez crashed and finished 12th, while Alex Marquez claimed his maiden MotoGP victory ahead of Quartararo, with Bagnaia third.

All of this suggests Ducati should be stronger at Jerez than at circuits like Goiania and Austin, particularly across its full roster of Desmosedici riders and with Marc Marquez as its reference point.

However, there is also an expectation that Aprilia can take a step forward compared to its previous performances at the track.

Ducati itself is anticipating a closer fight. Team manager Davide Tardozzi said in Brazil: “I think Aprilia will continue to be competitive in Austin, but I’m sure Ducati will be closer. They will also be very strong in Jerez, but we can be closer.

“We know the problem and we are looking for a way to solve it.”

Jerez, then, could offer the clearest indication yet of who truly holds the upper hand in MotoGP.