Aprilia has just opened registration for the 2026 Trofeo RS 457. The single-make race series kicks off May 17 at Vallelunga and runs across five rounds in Italy alongside the Coppa Italia Velocità.
This is basically Aprilia saying, “here’s your shot, now go race.” Anyone 14 and up can enter, which sounds wild until you realize that’s exactly the point. This isn’t some exclusive, big-money paddock. It’s a controlled, spec racing environment where everyone’s on the same hardware, the same tires, and more or less the same playing field. No excuses. Just skill doing all the talking.
And the hardware is actually legit. I previously waxed poetic about how the RS 457 already makes a solid case for itself as a lightweight sportbike, but the Trofeo version leans fully into race duty. You get a dedicated racing ECU, a proper exhaust system from SC Project, and a Sprint Filter intake setup. That combo alone sharpens throttle response and lets the engine breathe the way it’s supposed to when you’re pinned down a straight.
