Massimo Rivola sent a message to skeptical Aprilia ‘higher-ups’ over Marco Bezzecchi move

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Aprilia have taken a risk by signing Marco Bezzecchi for the 2025 MotoGP season. He’ll partner the world champion Jorge Martin in a brand-new rider line-up.

Aleix Espargaro has semi-retired, moving to Honda as a test rider. And Maverick Vinales made the surprise decision to leave Aprilia for KTM satellite outfit Tech3.

On one level, pairing Martin and Bezzecchi is a gamble. There has been tension between the two ever since 2018, when they jostled for the Moto3 title.

But beyond that, Bezzecchi arrives on the back of a poor season at VR46. He finished bottom of the Ducati mini-league among full-time riders.

Rather ignominiously, he placed below his teammate Fabio di Giannantonio even after the latter’s injury absence. ‘Diggia’ missed the final two races of the season to undergo surgery.

Bezzecchi only managed one podium finish last season, taking third at the Spanish Grand Prix. But even with his stock at a low ebb, he secured a multi-year deal from Massimo Rivola.

Massimo Rivola doesn’t want Marco Bezzecchi to be judged on 2024 struggles

Rivola believes that 2024 was an aberration. He knows that Bezzecchi was hamstrung by Michelin’s new rear tyre.

He’s now had a year to adapt and a winter to review what he was doing wrong. This, combined with the change of scenery, should allow him to reset.

• READ MORE: Massimo Rivola makes ‘explosive’ claim about Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi at Aprilia MotoGP launch

Speaking on The Race MotoGP YouTube channel, journalist Simon Patterson noted that Rivola was implicitly sending a message to the Aprilia hierarchy. Some within the Piaggio Group may have had doubts about the move for Bezzecchi.

Patterson said: “Rivola has been pretty open and honest since the signing was announced that he sees Bezzecchi as a real talent, and has been really quick to encourage everyone – fans and media alike, as well I think as some of the Aprilia higher-ups inside the Piaggio Group – not to judge Marco Bezzecchi solely on a difficult 2024 season.

“This is a guy that has more talent than he was able to show last year because of the issues with the old Ducati and the new Michelin rear tyre that basically left everyone on a GP23 struggling anyway.”

Marco Bezzecchi’s answer on Aprilia MotoGP move shows he’s lacking confidence

Rivola would naturally prefer to focus on Bezzecchi’s peaks. He delivered the first premier-class win for VR46 in Argentina three years ago, adding further victories in France and India.

That saw him finish an impressive third in the championship behind Francesco Bagnaia and Martin. If he rediscovers this form, he should be able to challenge the Spaniard.

But to do that, he needs to rebuild his confidence. Bezzecchi says he was surprised by Aprilia’s offer, the continuation of a prolonged pursuit.

One journalist believes Bezzecchi spurned a potential factory seat at Ducati, but his move might pay off in the long term. Indeed, Martin wouldn’t have joined if he wasn’t confident he could win another title come 2026 or 2027.