Positive Friday for Aprilia Racing in Le Mans with three RS-GP26 machines in Q2

May 9, 2026 Michael Le Pard News

Published May 9, 2026 by Michael Le Pard

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JORGE MARTÍN SIXTH, MARCO BEZZECCHI SEVENTH. CONSISTENT DAY FOR TRACKHOUSE MOTOGP TEAM AS WELL, WITH AI OGURA NINTH.
The first day of practice on the Le Mans Bugatti Circuit ended with a positive balance for Aprilia Racing, taking three RS-GP26 machines straight through to Q2.

Through to Q2 is Jorge Martín who, despite a crash without consequences early in the session, finished the practice session sixth. Marco Bezzecchi’s Friday was also on an upward trend, with the rider finishing the practice session seventh, thereby clinching a spot in Q2 and significantly improving on his FP1 result, where he finished fourteenth.

Also worth a mention is Ai Ogura’s performance. The Trackhouse MotoGP Team rider took ninth place in the practice session, which puts him through to Q2.

I felt good in the practice session, and we managed to do a great time attack in spite of the crash, maintaining a good pace. We need to continue working ahead of tomorrow because I am still struggling to get the front tyre up to temp. We’re close, but we need another step forward.
It was a good Friday overall. Despite this morning’s difficulties, I felt better on the bike in the practice session and made it through to Q2, which was the goal of the day. I’m still struggling a bit in the time attack, especially on certain places on the track, but I know I can improve, so we need to continue working ahead of tomorrow.
Our goal was to have two riders in Q2 and we achieved that. Now we need to continue working on the bike setup in order to allow Marco and Jorge to express their full potential. Doing well in the qualifiers tomorrow will be important because starting from the front here in Le Mans is fundamental.

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