The official Aprilia team will have a very interesting line-up in the next two MotoGP championships. After signing Jorge Martin, the signing of Marco Bezzecchi was also announced. Massimo Rivola has secured second and third rider in the 2023 ranking. Two great blows from the Noale company, which could hardly have better replaced Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales. Certainly in 2025 the goal will be to fight for the title, there are no excuses.
MotoGP, Rivola and the arrival of Bezzecchi
Rivola is satisfied with having put an Italian rider like Bezzecchi on the Venetian bike: “It was a piece that was missing – he told Sky Sports MotoGP – and so we are very happy. Having the Jorge-Marco pair is a huge stimulus for us, we have to give them the best bike possible. Compared to what happened with Martin, this negotiation was cooked on a slower flame. Bezzecchi was one of our goals and what is so pleasing is that he wanted to come to us, ride our bike and be with our team. We welcomed him with open arms“.
The CEO of Aprilia Racing admits that the expectations towards the rider from Rimini are high, but they are high in general with the team set up for the two-year period 2025-2026: “I expect him to adapt as quickly as possible. Obviously, when a team changes two riders it takes a risk, but when you have talents like those of Marco and Jorge we can only be optimistic. The ambition is high, we want to play for something important“.
Vinales from Aprilia to KTM: the reasons
Rivola also recalls that Bezzecchi had received an offer from Noale already in 2020, after Andrea Iannone was disqualified for doping: “Four years ago, when we found ourselves without a rider, he was the first to whom I had offered the chance to come to MotoGP. He had an agreement to race another year in Moto2 with the VR46 team and wanted to arrive in MotoGP a little more prepared. I was disappointed, but he made a decision like a mature driver. Now I’m glad I announced it“.
Finally, the Italian manager also expressed what could be the reasons that pushed Vinales to prefer the move to the KTM Tech3 team to the renewal with Aprilia: “I think with us he didn’t feel he could repeat the performance he did in Austin every Sunday. Furthermore, the challenge of winning with four different houses is something unique that he can achieve. For us, Maverick was a successful bet, we took him on with great difficulty from Yamaha and we managed to see him win again after many podiums. SI am satisfied with the work he did with us. But the season is still long and I expect that, perhaps with a clear head, he can go faster already from Assen“. The choices for the future have been made, but the Noale team still wants to have a high-level 2024: many grands prix are missing before focusing on 2025. Now Assen is coming.
Photo: Aprilia
