Marco Bezzecchi made a remarkable jump in the MotoGP rankings during Aprilia’s strongest season in the premier class, climbing from a disappointing 12th place in his last year with VR46 to finishing third, trailing only the Ducatis ridden by Marc and Alex Marquez. Impressively, he achieved this success with a new motorcycle and team.
Arriving at Aprilia, Bezzecchi initially set his sights on teammate and reigning world champion Jorge Martin. However, with Martin suffering injuries in pre-season testing and a subsequent fracture, the responsibility of leading the Aprilia project fell heavily on Bezzecchi’s shoulders. The 27-year-old had never before raced a manufacturer-spec bike or spearheaded development for an official team, yet he embraced the challenge. He worked closely with Aprilia’s new technical director, Fabiano Sterracchini, helping to smooth out inconsistencies in the RS-GP and adapting his riding style accordingly.
His breakthrough came at Silverstone, where he surged from 10th to claim victory, but a pivotal moment occurred earlier at a test in Jerez, after which he felt confident that success was attainable. Since the Assen race, Bezzecchi overcame his qualifying struggles and spent 144 laps leading the Grand Prix behind Marc Marquez. Following Silverstone, he continued to impress with wins at Portimao and Valencia, alongside three Sprint race victories, propelling Aprilia to an unprecedented second place in the constructors’ standings.
Reflecting on the season, Bezzecchi described it as a thrilling mix of experiences, highlighting the challenge and excitement of becoming a factory rider for the first time. He praised the team and enjoyed the characteristics of the Aprilia bike, though he acknowledged the hard work needed to adapt and improve throughout the year.
The season started differently than expected with both Jorge Martin and Raul Fernandez injured and Ai Ogura as a rookie, placing the development burden largely on Bezzecchi. Despite the challenges, he appreciated the focused support from engineers and the growth opportunity this responsibility provided. The Jerez test was a turning point where he and the team identified key improvements, especially in bike stability, enabling steady progress.
Bezzecchi embraced the need to continually adapt his riding style to the new bike, moving from his previous machine and consistently evolving his approach. Memorable races included his first win at Silverstone and a strong performance at Misano, where he secured pole position at home, won the sprint, and battled closely with Marc Marquez.
Regarding the current gap between Aprilia and Ducati following Marquez’s injury, Bezzecchi favors focusing on continuous improvement rather than direct comparisons. He quickly integrated with the Aprilia team despite initial nerves, finding a supportive group that made him feel at ease from day one. Celebrations vary depending on the moment, emphasizing spontaneity.
Bezzecchi maintains a good relationship with Jorge Martin and expressed happiness about Martin’s return to racing in Valencia after a difficult season. Looking ahead to 2027 contract talks, Bezzecchi is currently focused on racing and not yet thinking about future contracts.
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Fan Take: Marco Bezzecchi’s rise and leadership in Aprilia’s best MotoGP season is a compelling story of resilience and adaptation that energizes racing fans. His progress signals a potential shift in the competitive landscape, promising more intense and unpredictable battles at the front in the coming years.
