Aprilia Bets on Bezzecchi’s True Talent for MotoGP Comeback Despite Current Struggles

Aprilia: 2023 Unveils the True Marco Bezzecchi

Massimo Rivola: "The genuine Bezzecchi was seen last year, not this year… There are unmistakable signs of his talent"

The authentic Marco Bezzecchi is better represented by his performance last year, where he claimed victory in three races and secured a third-place finish in the MotoGP World Championship, rather than his current position at 11th in this year's rankings.

Aprilia Racing's Chief Executive Officer, Maverick Vinales, holds the conviction that the youthful Italian talent is a significant addition, having secured him on a long-term contract to team up with the present Pramac Ducati frontrunner, Jorge Martin, starting in 2025.

Despite overcoming the challenge of riding a bike from the previous season last year, Bezzecchi has found it difficult to adapt to the GP23, securing only a single podium finish in the first seven races.

This has positioned Bezzecchi in the eleventh spot in the global championship rankings, making him the fourth highest-ranked GP23 rider behind Marc Marquez (3rd), his new VR46 colleague Fabio di Giannantonio (9th), and Alex Marquez (10th).

"Rivola noted, “When a rider excels in one season and then doesn't maintain that performance level the next, it raises questions. Is it a lack of talent, or could there be other factors at play, not just technical ones?”

"In conclusion, I believe the authentic Bez was the one we saw last year, not the version we're seeing this year… Therefore, I'm still rooting for them to stick with the 'imitation' [this year] in hopes it will yield better outcomes for us!" Rivola said in a light-hearted manner.

"However, I have considerable faith in his velocity and skill."

"'It's essential to get the planets in line,' Rivola said when prompted to identify what stood out to him regarding Bezzecchi. He highlighted Bezzecchi's prowess in rainy conditions and his commanding win at the previous year's Indian MotoGP."

"Rivola expressed his admiration for certain standout qualities," he mentioned. "One notable skill is definitely his ability to navigate wet conditions. Another remarkable moment was during our first and only visit to a completely unfamiliar track [India], where he secured a victory with a significant margin [8.6 seconds]."

"Certainly, there are unmistakable indicators of talent. It's clear to see, alright, this person possesses something extraordinary."

One might contend that his performance this year falls short of expectations, especially when compared to Marc Marquez, who, despite riding the same motorcycle, consistently competes for the lead positions.

"Hence, I believe that occasionally, it's not only the technical elements but also external influences that can shape outcomes. The challenging yet rewarding part is discovering the true key to perfectly aligning all the elements."

"When considering Maverick, especially his performance in Austin, I anticipate him reaching the pinnacle of world champion status. However, the reality is that circumstances don't always fall into place perfectly. Thus, we must figure out how to orchestrate those circumstances favorably."

Rivola mentioned that Bezzecchi appears to have traits that blend aspects of Aprilia's present championship-winning team – Aleix Espargaro (who will retire after this season) and Vinales (who is moving to Tech3 KTM), along with the upcoming Martin.

From my perspective, Bezzecchi seems to have a Latin personality, something we're familiar with. Aleix, for instance, is a good example of this. Jorge Martin appears to share this trait as well. Therefore, the atmosphere in the Aprilia racing team should be quite dynamic and inspiring, and I'm eagerly anticipating it.

"First and foremost, our primary goal for this year is to concentrate intensely because it's crucial that we continue to develop the bike. We also need to grasp what requirements will arise."

"The reason is that they are transitioning from a leading motorcycle [the Ducati], and for both riders, it's the only MotoGP motorcycle they have experienced. Consequently, this might offer an advantage in guiding them toward a more effective path, or alternatively, they might continue to seek features that our motorcycle is unable to deliver.

"Forecasting is challenging, however, ultimately, selecting these two competitors [Bezzecchi and Martin] is the optimum decision we could make."

The official Aprilia team roster is now confirmed, however, the selection of riders for the Trackhouse satellite team, presently comprising Raul Fernandez and Miguel Oliveira, remains undecided for the 2025 season.

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