Aprilia’s Journey to Its First WorldSBK World Championship
Aprilia’s 11-Year Journey to WorldSBK Glory
Aprilia’s journey to its first WorldSBK World Championship began in 1998, when the RSV1000 Mille was introduced. Just one year later, Aprilia entered the WorldSBK championship.
However, the road to the title was far from straightforward. Aprilia competed from 1999 to 2002, withdrew from the championship from 2003 onward, and then made its return in 2009 with the all-new RSV4.
One year after returning, Aprilia achieved its breakthrough: Max Biaggi won the 2010 WorldSBK Riders’ Championship, while Aprilia also secured its first Manufacturers’ Championship.
The Timeline at a Glance
1998 — RSV1000 Mille introduced
Aprilia introduces the RSV1000 Mille, laying the foundation for its entry into WorldSBK.
1999 — WorldSBK debut
Peter Goddard #9 becomes Aprilia’s leading rider, finishing 12th overall. Aprilia finishes 6th and last among the manufacturers.
2000 — Troy Corser arrives
Troy Corser #3 joins Aprilia and finishes 3rd overall. Aprilia finishes 6th among 7 manufacturers.
2001 — Manufacturer progress
Corser finishes 4th overall, while Aprilia rises to 3rd among the manufacturers.
2002 — Noriyuki Haga takes over
Noriyuki Haga #41 becomes Aprilia’s leading rider and finishes 4th overall. Aprilia remains 3rd among manufacturers.
2003 — Withdrawal
Aprilia has no Factory team. A single wildcard entry at Round 7 fails to score any points, leaving Aprilia last in the manufacturers’ standings.
2004–2008 — Five-year absence
Aprilia does not compete in WorldSBK.
2009 — The comeback
Aprilia returns to WorldSBK with the all-new RSV4, with Max Biaggi #3 as its leading rider. Biaggi finishes 4th overall, while Aprilia also finishes 4th among manufacturers.
2010 — World Champions
Just one year after returning, Max Biaggi wins the WorldSBK Riders’ Championship, while Aprilia takes its first Manufacturers’ Championship.
So, Why “11 Years”?
The period from 1999 to 2010 spans 11 years, but Aprilia was not competing throughout that entire period. Its actual WorldSBK journey consisted of an initial four-year campaign (1999–2002), a five-year absence (2004–2008, following its 2003 withdrawal), and a return in 2009 that culminated in the 2010 championship.
In other words, it took 11 calendar years from Aprilia’s WorldSBK debut to its first World Championship, but only five seasons of competition immediately led to that historic title — four seasons in its first campaign and two seasons after its return, with the 2003 wildcard season sitting between them.
1999 → 2010: 11 years from WorldSBK debut to World Champion.