Ducati takes aim at Aprilia as Martin test request declined

Ducati general manager Gigi Dall’Igna has hit out at his Aprilia counterparts for how they revealed their request to allow world champion Jorge Martin to test aboard his MotoGP bike ahead of his return from injury.

Senior Aprilia figures Paolo Bonora (team manager) and Massimo Rivola (CEO) first raised the proposal of a mid-season change to testing regulations in the media during the last MotoGP race weekend in Argentina.

The alteration would have required unanimous agreement from all of Aprilia’s rival manufacturers — which was not achieved at a meeting of the Manufacturers’ Association (MSMA) ahead of the Americas GP yesterday, meaning Aprilia will not get its wish in the short term.

The MSMA emergency meeting Thursday afternoon lasted nearly two hours. Motorsport.com understands that Aprilia’s proposal was rejected during the heated meeting, in which Ducati, represented by Dall’Igna, expressed significant frustration with Aprilia, represented by Rivola.

Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

When it came time to vote, the Bologna-based manufacturer nonetheless agreed to follow the majority’s decision, aligning with Yamaha. KTM supported the test session, but it was Honda – initially in favour – that ultimately voted against it.

While Aprilia’s hopes ended there – though there is a good chance the rule change could be implemented for 2026 – Ducati’s reactions to the situation did not.

“Ducati did not oppose [the test],“ said Dall’Igna to Sky Italia on Friday. “Martin is an important rider for Ducati; he won a world championship with us, so we felt it was fair to make an exception for him. However, rules should generally not be changed mid-season.

“I must say that we did not like Massimo Rivola’s approach at all. In our view, he spread information that was not true. Most importantly, he shared confidential details, because what is discussed in MSMA meetings should remain within the MSMA.”

Ducati believes that Aprilia’s handling of the situation was far from appropriate for such a significant matter. According to Borgo Panigale executives, the debate should have been much deeper and more detailed, with special attention to specifics.

“A rule change cannot be made like this,” a Ducati source told Motorsport.com. “People may focus only on the main aspect – the test – and nothing more. But there are many other factors to consider.

“If the rider needing a test is from a satellite team, who provides the bike? All these aspects must be clarified, and they cannot be inserted into the regulations without careful consideration.”

The news is unfortunate for Martin, who is visiting a race paddock for the first time this year, and  shared Friday that he would not risk riding any kind of motorcycle ahead of the Qatar weekend.