Analysis

Aprilia opens new development path in MotoGP with “elephant ears” aero

The Noale factory continues to push aerodynamic innovation, with a striking new flow diverter mounted alongside the front fairing at the Jerez test

Aprilia once again turned heads with its new aerodynamic solutions at the Jerez test, amid a fierce fight with Ducati for the 2026 MotoGP title.

Next year's MotoGP regulations aim to reduce the impact of aerodynamics on the 850cc bikes, reflecting a growing sense that current designs may be approaching their limits. The controversy over Aprilia’s “leg wings” earlier this winter – with some calling for a ban on safety grounds – underlined just how far development has gone.

The Noale-based manufacturer currently leads the standings thanks to a constantly evolving RS-GP26. At the Jerez test, its leg wing concept had effectively been copied by rival teams, a clear sign that the solution works and delivers meaningful performance gains.

The engineering team led by technical boss Fabiano Sterlacchini knows that if Aprilia is to challenge Ducati for the world title, it cannot afford to stand still. Even at the end of a regulation cycle, continuous innovation remains essential.

The creativity of the aerodynamics group headed by Marco De Luca is beyond question. Each time the Italian factory introduces something new, rival MotoGP bikes suddenly risk looking outdated in comparison.

New wings on the sides of the fairings

Photo by: GPOne

At Jerez, Aprilia brought a number of updates, but the most eye-catching was the introduction of two additional wing elements mounted on either side of the front fairing. Dubbed “elephant ears” by Italian outlet MotorOne, the nickname neatly captures the visual impact of a solution that could once again set a trend in the paddock.

This effectively marks a third tier of aerodynamic surfaces at the front of the bike. In addition to the main front wing and the upper fairing duct, Aprilia has now added these “elephant ears” in an area of the fairing where no team had previously attempted to mount a flow diverter.

Aprilia has therefore opened up a new avenue of aerodynamic research. And with a prominent sensor device – a “satellite” mounted on the tail unit to gather data while the RS-GP26 is running – it appears clear that further innovations may still be on the way.