Marco Bezzecchi
Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola claims Honda and Yamaha have made Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi “very important” contract offers to change MotoGP teams in 2027.
The 2026 MotoGP season has not even officially begun yet, but the rider market has already kicked off. Teams are moving early to secure their future line-ups, as only three riders on the 2026 grid have contracts guaranteeing them rides for the start of the 2027 regulations era.
Honda have Johann Zarco under contract at LCR through 2027 and they gave Diogo Moreira a multi-year deal to graduate to MotoGP with their satellite team in 2026. Yamaha also gave World Superbike convert Toprak Razgatlioglu a two-year contract to ride for Pramac in 2026.
Aprilia do not have any riders under contract beyond 2026, after they welcomed Martin and Bezzecchi to Noale in 2025 each on a two-year contract. But Bezzecchi is expected to sign a new contract with Aprilia soon after emerging as their team leader during the 2025 season.
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Massimo Rivola believes Honda and Yamaha have offered Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi contracts
Martin tried but failed to get out of his Aprilia contract to join Honda in 2026 during his layoff with a hemopneumothorax and 11 broken ribs last year. The 2024 MotoGP champion started to question his future amid the second of his eventual three spells on the sidelines in 2025.
READ MORE: The worst MotoGP title defences in history, as Jorge Martin sets a new record
Aprilia CEO Rivola believes Honda are still interested in Martin, and he also thinks the Asaka outfit and their Japanese rivals Yamaha are even trying to sign Bezzecchi. Aprilia’s priority is therefore to agree to a new contract for Bezzecchi before seeing how Martin fares in 2026.
Rivola told Sky Sports Italy: “The market has already moved very aggressively. I’d like to take my time, but I don’t think we’ll be given it. I know the Japanese manufacturers are making very important offers, including to our riders, obviously, because they’re both very strong.
“We’ll react. I’m convinced that if the company is strong and gives the impression of being so, the riders will stay. Clearly, with Bezzecchi, there’s a sense of building something historic.
“We want to see how Martin is physically because we’re sure he can be very strong with our bike. But if we don’t get the chance to see him, then so be it.”
Aprilia’s efficiency will be their ‘advantage’ ahead of the 2027 MotoGP regulations
What are your thoughts on MotoGP bikes getting slower in 2027?
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The 2027 MotoGP regulations increase the levels of uncertainty that riders will face if they switch teams at the end of the 2026 season. No manufacturer can guarantee that they will develop the best bike for the 850cc regulations, which will also remove ride height devices.
But Rivola thinks Aprilia could have an “advantage” over their Japanese rivals through their efficiency, which may also be decisive in determining Martin and Bezzecchi’s futures. Rivola feels the only doubt that Aprilia might face will be the tyres, with Pirelli replacing Michelin.
Rivola said: “I think it’s an advantage for us. The Italian teams are very efficient, and I don’t see why our 2027 bike shouldn’t be competitive.
“The real question mark is not the bike but the tyres. That will be the biggest challenge. But, overall, I see it more as an opportunity than a problem.”
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