Marc Márquez is on the verge of securing his tenth motorcycle world championship title, his eighth in the premier MotoGP class, after a commanding display at the Qatar Grand Prix. Despite entering Losail with slim chances, Márquez maximized his opportunities by clinching the sprint race victory on Saturday and finishing a cautious but crucial second in the main race on Sunday.

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This performance sets him up to potentially seal the championship at the Portimao sprint next weekend if he wins, or by extending his lead over Jorge Martín by just two points. Martín currently trails by 60 points, while Marco Bezzecchi, the third contender, sits 74 points adrift with only a handful of points remaining on the table.

Márquez’s resurgence against Aprilia’s early lead

The 2026 season has sparked intense debate within the paddock and fanbase about whether the title has been won by Márquez’s relentless resurgence or lost by Aprilia’s faltering execution. Aprilia entered the Italian GP holding a commanding 102-point lead over Márquez, capitalizing on the Spanish rider’s recovery from yet another arm surgery and showcasing early dominance with their RS-GP.

However, once Márquez regained form, the narrative shifted dramatically. From Mugello onwards, Márquez has been unstoppable, winning seven long races and eight sprints—more than any other rider this season—demonstrating a level of consistency and pace that outclassed all rivals.

Rivola: “Marc Márquez has made the difference”

Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing, confronted the question head-on in a candid interview with Sky Sport MotoGP after Qatar. When asked whether Márquez won the championship or Aprilia lost it, Rivola gave unequivocal credit to the eight-time premier class world champion.

“Marc Márquez has made the difference,” Rivola stated. “He proved it again on Sunday, look at the gap he created compared to the other Ducatis. His weekend management, scoring 37 points in key moments, and resilience on the toughest circuits—he commands my respect, his record, experience, and media handling—nothing is by chance. Marc is truly a great.”

Despite the harsh reality of losing the riders’ crown, Rivola remains optimistic about Aprilia’s breakthrough season. “I see the glass half full,” he said. “This year is a recognition of the company’s magnificent work and the superb bike we’ve built. The team in Noale works tirelessly, believing in this project, and I’m proud of that. Yes, we dropped points, but I’d rather be here fighting with a fast bike and fast riders than struggling with slow ones.”

Aprilia still fighting in the teams’ and constructors’ standings

Rivola affirmed Aprilia’s commitment to the championship fight through the final rounds, emphasizing continuous improvement and growth. “We haven’t given up; we keep pushing to enhance the bike and our riders. There are many positives to be proud of, and the points lost are lessons for the future. Two races remain.”

Realistically, the riders’ championship may slip beyond reach for Aprilia, but the manufacturer still leads the teams’ championship by 124 points over Ducati’s factory outfit and trails by a slim margin of eight points in the constructors’ standings. Rivola highlighted the significance of these battles: “The teams’ championship is akin to Formula 1’s constructors’ title, the sum of both riders’ points. The constructors’ title is also a goal we deserve. We should reconsider the points system because having a rider like Márquez alone… I’ve heard it said that sometimes four Aprilias are not enough to beat Márquez. The facts prove it.”

As the season edges closer to its climax, Rivola’s respect for Márquez’s mastery and Aprilia’s breakthrough season remains clear, framing a championship saga defined by Márquez’s unrelenting excellence and Aprilia’s rise from dominance to near glory.