Massimo Rivola says Marco Bezzecchi has emulated one of Marc Marquez’s greatest attributes in 2025

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Marco Bezzecchi is one of the form riders in MotoGP right now. Were it not for Marc Marquez, he would be top of the power rankings.

Bezzecchi is fourth in the standings, which makes him the top rider outside Ducati. Based on their opposite trajectories, he could soon overtake Francesco Bagnaia for third (the gap is currently 43).

The Italian scored his first pole for Aprilia at the Austrian Grand Prix last time out. He enhanced an already-impressive 2025 stat line that includes a victory at Silverstone and six podium finishes.

Bezzecchi defended manfully against Marquez at the Red Bull Ring, but ultimately surrendered the lead in the closing stages. Still, this could end up being his best MotoGP season yet, replacing 2023 (when he finished third behind Bagnaia and Jorge Martin).

Marco Bezzecchi is fighting back like Marc Marquez, says Massimo Rivola

Last year’s world champion Martin was the superstar signing for Aprilia over the winter. But after he got injured and pushed to leave, Bezzecchi has symbolically taken control of the team.

Speaking to MARCA at the Austrian GP, team boss Massimo Rivola applauded Bezzecchi for his Sunday ‘comebacks’. This has been one of the defining characteristics of his season.

As the table below shows, Bezzecchi has gained a net 35 places from his starting positions in 2025. The highlight was his charge from 11th to victory at the British GP, while he also rallied from 20th to eighth in Aragon.

Critics would argue that he clearly isn’t maximising the bike’s potential in qualifying, but if that were true, he’s addressed the relative weakness with his recent Saturday showings. Rivola is reminded of six-time MotoGP champion Marquez.

He said: “Starting in front in today’s MotoGP is truly important; the overtakes Bezzecchi has made in this first part of the year have never been achieved by anyone in the past, perhaps Marc Marquez. In the history of motorcycling, there have never been so many comebacks.

“A while ago, they said the Aprilia wasn’t a bike for a comeback, but now… Several pieces of the puzzle are coming together, so from now on, if we don’t have any more misfortunes, Aprilia can build a 2026 where it can be a protagonist against Ducati and Marc Marquez. The company is very motivated.”

Is Marc Marquez afraid of Aprilia star Marco Bezzecchi?

Bezzecchi has Valentino Rossi in his corner after graduating from the VR46 academy. That adds another layer to his developing rivalry with Marquez.

Veteran MotoGP manager Carlo Pernat claims Bezzecchi is the only rider Marquez fears. He’s tamed all the internal threats at Ducati.

Bezzecchi holds a significant ‘grudge’ against Marquez given his close relationship with Rossi. If Aprilia improve to the extent that Rivola anticipates, the intense battles seen in Germany and Austria could become a regular occurrence.

And the sport arguably needs a rider who can challenge the 32-year-old consistently.