Marco Bezzecchi
Marco Bezzecchi has had an excellent first season with Aprilia after deciding to leave Valentino Rossi’s VR46 team.
The Italian has been a staple of the VR46 academy since his junior career, finishing third with the team in Moto2 in 2021. Bezzecchi was promoted to MotoGP by Rossi the following year, finishing 14th.
He recorded his best finish in the premier class in 2023 with third, grabbing three wins and seven podiums, but after a tough 2024 season, he decided to leave VR46 for Aprilia. Rossi supported Bezzecchi’s decision, but it was a big jump for the 26-year-old.
Bezzecchi was ‘scared’ to sign for Aprilia due to the responsibility of being a factory rider. That responsibility heightened even more when his teammate Jorge Martin suffered devastating injuries at the start of 2025, leaving the Italian as Aprilia’s only reference.
But that did not faze Bezzecchi one bit as he quickly got to grips with the RS-GP25 and helped to develop the bike. With his help, Aprilia became a serious contender, with the Italian winning three races in 2025 and finishing the year in P3.
Pablo Nieto wasn’t surprised by Marco Bezzecchi’s ‘fantastic’ 2025 season, Valentino Rossi must regret losing him
Bezzecchi has matched his best-ever result in MotoGP and is relishing being a factory rider at Aprilia. VR46 chief Pablo Nieto was not surprised that he had such a ‘fantastic’ year, as he knew that he had the potential while racing for his team.
It may suggest that Rossi may regret letting Bezzecchi leave his team. VR46 were the only Ducati team not to win in 2025, with Fabio Di Giannantonio struggling on the GP25 and Franco Morbidelli having crashes and incidents with other riders.
Asked if he was surprised by Bezzecchi’s success, Nieto said on TNT Sports 2 (18/11, 2:42 pm) during the Valencia test: “If I tell you the truth, no. In the end, when he made his first year in MotoGP with us, he was fighting for the championship until three races to the end.
“I think we finished third in the championship, we was rookie of the year. So, when a rider comes to a new category and he won the rookie of the year, that means that he has a very big potential.
“He is very, very fast, he has a very big talent. You must put it all together with him and you can win a race with 10 seconds to the second.
“So, I think he’s doing a fantastic job with the factory, so I think he is one of the riders that we have to see.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Marco Bezzecchi from net worth to race number
Marco Bezzecchi is in a position to fight for the 2026 MotoGP championship
Bezzecchi has had a hugely impressive 2025 campaign, winning the final two races of the season at Portimao and Valencia. It could be argued that his success was down to the fact that Marc Marquez was absent with injury.
Bezzecchi himself admits that he is not at Marquez’s level despite his recent form. However, it is clear that Aprilia have closed the gap to Ducati, and at certain circuits, the Noale outfit are the favourites.
Massimo Rivola is backing Bezzecchi as a title contender in 2026, along with teammate Martin, provided he can stay fit. Ducati’s lack of preparation for next season, thanks to Marquez’s injury and Francesco Bagnaia’s poor form could open the door for Aprilia.
Bezzecchi is ready to fight for the championship in 2026 with Aprilia. They just have to ensure that they can keep the momentum going.
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