Aprilia

Early days

Aprilia, named after the pre-war Lancia Aprilia,^[2] was founded after the Second World War by Cavaliere Alberto Beggio as a bicycle production factory at Noale, Italy, in the province of Venice. Alberto's son, Ivano Beggio, took over the helm of the company in 1968 and constructed a 50 cc "motorcycle".^[3] The first production Aprilia mopeds were named Colibrì, Daniela, and Packi. Aprilia later produced a motocross bike in 1970 called the Scarabeo. Produced until the end of the 1970s, the Scarabeo came in 50 and 125 cc versions.^[4]

In 1977, Ivan Alborghetti from Milan, Italy won the Italian 125 and 250 cc motocross championships on Aprilia motorcycles. In 1978 125cc Motocross World Championship, Alborghetti closed the season with a third-place result in the Swiss Grand Prix and sixth place overall in the World Championship. In the 1980s, Aprilia added enduro, trials and road bikes of between 50 and 600 cc and in 1981, Aprilia introduced the TL320 trials machine. In 1983, Aprilia launched the St 125 road bike and in 1984, they launched an improved model called STX as well as an enduro, called the ET 50.^{[5][6][better source needed]}

In 1985, Aprilia started outsourcing engines for some models to the Austrian company Rotax. In 1985 Aprilia launched a 125 STX and 350 STX. In 1986, Aprilia launched the AF1, a small sports model; and the Tuareg, a large tanked bike for African rallies like the Dakar Rally. Aprilia factory rider Philippe Berlatier contended for the trials world championship reaching fifth place, and Loris Reggiani rode an Aprilia GP 250 with Rotax engine to sixth place in the road racing World Championship. Two seasons later, on August 30, 1987, at San Marino Grand Prix in Misano Loris Reggiani's AF1 won the first World Speed Championship.^[7]

In 1990, Aprilia launched the Pegaso 600, a road bike derived from off-road mechanics. Later, in 1992 Aprilia rider Alessandro Gramigni won the World 125 Road Racing Championship title. Also in 1992, Tommy Ahvala won the World Trials Championship on an Aprilia Climber. Since then, Aprilia has 124 times won 125 and 250 cc class Grand Prix, 15 Road Racing World Championship titles, and 16 European speed titles. Many world champions started on Aprilia such as Biaggi, Capirossi, Gramigni, Locatelli, Sakata and Rossi.^[7]

In 1995, Aprilia commissioned Philippe Starck to design the Motò which was shown in New York's Modern Art Museum. Also in 1995, Aprilia launched the two stroke RS 125 and RS 250 sports bikes. In 1998, Aprilia launched the RSV Mille, a 1000cc V-Twin Superbike, and the Falco, a 1000cc V-Twin sport tourer with emphasis on sport. Both bikes used a variation of a Rotax 1000cc engine.^{[citation needed]}

In 1999, Aprilia entered World Superbike Championship racing with its RSV Mille, and during 2000, Aprilia acquired Moto-Guzzi and Laverda, both historic heritage Italian marques. In 2000, Aprilia launched the 50 cc DiTech (Direct Injection Technology) two stroke engine for scooters which provides high mileage and low emissions, and also the RST Futura, a sport tourer, and the ETV 1000 Caponord; an adventure touring motorcycle. Both of these latter two motorcycles used a variation of the Rotax 1000 cc V-Twin.^{[citation needed]}

Most recently, in 2003, Aprilia launched the RSV Mille Tuono which was essentially an RSV Mille with motocross-style high handlebars and only a small headlight fairing. Most of the major motorcycle magazines picked it for the best bike of the year. In 2004, Aprilia was acquired by Piaggio & C. SpA, to form the world's fourth largest motorcycle group with 1.5 billion Euro in sales, an annual production capacity of over 600,000 vehicles, and a presence in 50 countries.^{[citation needed]}

With the acquisition by Piaggio, the new President of Aprilia is Roberto Colaninno (President of Piaggio & C.), and the managing director is Rocco Sabelli. The son of the founder, Ivano Beggio, was the Honorary President and died on 13 March 2018.^[8] On 15 August 2010, Aprilia became the most successful motorcycle racing brand in history, surpassing fellow Italian MV Agusta with a record 276th victory.^[9]

Motorcycles

Alberto's son, Ivano Beggio, took over the helm of the company in 1968 and constructed a 50 cc "motorcycle".^[10]

The first production Aprilia mopeds were named "Colibrì", "Daniela", and "Packi".

In the 1980s, Aprilia added enduro, trials and road bikes of between 50 and 600 cc.

In 1981, Aprilia introduced the TL320 trials machine.

In 1983, Aprilia launched the St 125 road bike.

In 1984, they launched an improved model called STX, as well as an enduro, called the ET 50.^[11][12]

In 1985, Aprilia started outsourcing engines for some models to the Austrian company Rotax.

In 1985 Aprilia launched a 125 STX and 350 STX.

In 1990, Aprilia launched the Pegaso 600, a road bike derived from off-road mechanics.

Scooters

In the 1990s, Aprilia entered the scooter market starting in 1990 with Italy's first all-plastic scooter, the Amico.

In 1992, Aprilia introduced the Amico LK and the two stroke Pegaso 125, both with catalytic converters.

In 1993, Aprilia launched a large diameter wheel scooter reusing the name Scarabeo with a four-stroke, four-valve engine.

Later, Aprilia launched more scooters such as the Leonardo, the SR and the Gulliver.^{[citation needed]}

In 1995, Aprilia commissioned Philippe Starck to design the Motò which was shown in New York's Modern Art Museum.

Also in 1995, Aprilia launched the two stroke RS 125 and RS 250 sports bikes.

In 1998, Aprilia launched the RSV Mille, a 1000cc V-Twin Superbike, and the Falco, a 1000cc V-Twin sport tourer with emphasis on sport. Both bikes used a variation of a Rotax 1000cc engine.^{[citation needed]}

In 2000, Aprilia launched the 50 cc DiTech (Direct Injection Technology) two stroke engine for scooters which provides high mileage and low emissions, and also the RST Futura, a sport tourer, and the ETV 1000 Caponord; an adventure touring motorcycle.

Both of these latter two motorcycles used a variation of the Rotax 1000 cc V-Twin.^{[citation needed]}

Most recently, in 2003, Aprilia launched the RSV Mille Tuono which was essentially an RSV Mille with motocross-style high handlebars and only a small headlight fairing. Most of the major motorcycle magazines picked it for the best bike of the year.

Sportbikes

Aprilia produced a motocross bike in 50 and 125 cc versions in the 1970s called the Scarabeo.

Since in the 1980s, Aprilia has also produced large sportbikes such as the 1,000 cc V-twin RSV Mille and the V4 RSV4.

In 1986, Aprilia launched the AF1, a small sports model; and the Tuareg, a large tanked bike for African rallies like the Dakar Rally.

Acquisition

During 2000, Aprilia acquired Moto Guzzi and Laverda, both historic heritage Italian marques.^[13]

Ownership

In 2004, Aprilia was acquired by Piaggio & C. SpA,^[14] to form the world's fourth largest motorcycle group with 1.5 billion Euro in sales, an annual production capacity of over 600,000 vehicles, and a presence in 50 countries.

With the acquisition by Piaggio, the new President of Aprilia is Roberto Colaninno (President of Piaggio & C.), and the managing director is Rocco Sabelli. The son of the founder, Ivano Beggio, was the Honorary President and died on 13 March 2018.^[15]

Riders' championships

More information Year, Class ...

Year	Class	Champion	Motorcycle
1992	125cc	Alessandro Gramigni	Aprilia RS125R
1994		Kazuto Sakata
	250cc	Max Biaggi	Aprilia RSV 250
1995
1996
1997	125cc	Valentino Rossi	Aprilia RS125R
1998		Kazuto Sakata
	250cc	Loris Capirossi	Aprilia RSV 250
1999		Valentino Rossi
2000	125cc	Roberto Locatelli	Aprilia RS125R
2002		Arnaud Vincent
	250cc	Marco Melandri	Aprilia RSV 250
2003		Manuel Poggiali
2006	125cc	Álvaro Bautista	Aprilia RS125R
	250cc	Jorge Lorenzo	Aprilia RSW 250
2007	125cc	Gábor Talmácsi	Aprilia RS125R
	250cc	Jorge Lorenzo	Aprilia RSA 250
2009	125cc	Julián Simón	Aprilia RSA 125
2011		Nicolás Terol

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Manufacturers' championships

• 250cc class
  • 1995, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
• 125cc class
  • 1996, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011

Superbike World Championship (SBK)

Aprilia entered the Superbike World Championship in 1999 using a homologation special version of their V-twin road bike RSV Mille.

They were third in the riders' championship in 2000 with rider Troy Corser, and third in manufacturers' points and fourth in rider points both in 2001 with Corser and in 2002 with Noriyuki Haga. Aprilia retired from the series at the end of that season.^{[citation needed]}

In February 2008, Aprilia debuted a V-4 superbike, the RSV4, for the 2009 Superbike World Championship.^[23]

Aprilia won its first Superbike world championship in 2010 with Max Biaggi, claiming both the riders and the manufacturers titles.^{[citation needed]}

Riders' championships

More information Year, Champion ...

Year	Champion	Motorcycle
2010	Max Biaggi	Aprilia RSV4 1000
2012		Aprilia RSV4 Factory
2014	Sylvain Guintoli

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SuperMoto World Championship

Aprilia debuted in the FIM Supermoto World Championship in 2004 and since then it has won many titles in both S1 and S2 classes.^{[citation needed]}

Riders' championships

More information Year, Class ...

Year	Class	Champion	Motorcycle
2004	S2	Jerome Giraudo	Aprilia SXV 450
2006		Thierry Van Den Bosch
2011	S1	Adrien Chareyre	Aprilia MXV-S 450

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Motocross World Championship

Aprilia made their international racing debut in the Motocross World Championship competing in the 125cc class from 1976 until 1981 with a best result being a fifth place in the 1979 season with rider Corrado Maddi.^[24]

MotoGP results

By rider

More information Year, Class ...

Year	Class	Team name	Bike	Riders	Races	Wins	Podiums	Poles	F. laps	Points	Pos.
2022	MotoGP	Aprilia Racing	Aprilia RS-GP	Maverick Vinales	20	0	3	0	0	122	11th
				Aleix Espargaró	20	1	6	2	2	212	4th
2023				Maverick Viñales	20	0	3	1	1	204	7th
				Aleix Espargaró	20	2	3	1	2	206	6th
				Lorenzo Savadori	3	0	0	0	0	9 (12)	24th
2024				Maverick Viñales	19	1	1	1	1	189*	7th*
				Aleix Espargaró	19	0	0	2	1	134*	11th*
				Lorenzo Savadori	3	0	0	0	0	0 (0)*	28th*

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By season

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

More information Year, Motorcycle ...

Year	Motorcycle	Tyres	Riders	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	Points	RC	Points	TC	Points	MC
2022	Aprilia RS-GP	M		QAT	INA	ARG	AME	POR	SPA	FRA	ITA	CAT	GER	NED	GBR	AUT	RSM	ARA	JPN	THA	AUS	MAL	VAL
			Aleix Espargaró	4	9	1	11	3	3	3	3	5	4	4	9	6	6	3	16	11	9	10	Ret	212	4th	334	3rd	248	3rd
			Maverick Viñales	12	16	7	10	10	14	10	12	7	Ret	3	2	13	3	13	7	7	17	16	Ret	122	11th
			Lorenzo Savadori					Ret	21		22			20		19								0	NC	—N/a
2023				POR	ARG	AME	SPA	FRA	ITA	GER	NED	GBR	AUT	CAT	RSM	IND	JPN	INA	AUS	THA	MAL	QAT	VAL
			Maverick Viñales	25	127	4	Ret7	Ret9	12	Ret	Ret7	53	68	23	56	88	199	24	11	Ret	11	46	104	204	7th	410	5th	326	3rd
			Aleix Espargaró	96	15	Ret4	5	58	68	169	34	15	97	11	128	Ret	5	10	8	85	Ret	Ret	8	206	6th
			Lorenzo Savadori						18		11		19											5 (12)	24th	—N/a
2024				POR	ARG	AME	SPA	FRA	ITA	GER	NED	GBR	AUT	CAT	RSM	IND	JPN	INA	AUS	THA	MAL	QAT	VAL
			Maverick Viñales	109	Ret1	11	9	53	128	85	53	127	138	7	Ret	16	6	67	Ret9	8	7	7		189*	7th*	335*	4th*	285	3rd
			Aleix Espargaró	83	88	75	Ret	95	41	119	DNS	WD	63	93	10	Ret	8	Ret	9	168	9	13		134*	11th*
			Lorenzo Savadori				Ret			21	DNS			20										0 (0)*	28th*	—N/a

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