Marco Bezzecchi
Jorge Martin still believes he has the edge over Marco Bezzecchi despite the Italian’s recent success at Aprilia. Bezzecchi enters this weekend’s Brazilian Grand Prix on a run of three straight victories.
Martin joined Aprilia in 2025 as the world champion but only competed in 15 out of 44 races due to three separate injuries. Having arrived with much less fanfare, Bezzecchi flourished, becoming the first Aprilia factory rider to finish in the world championship top three.
Direct comparison between Martin and Bezzecchi is difficult, even in the sessions where both have featured, due to the mileage disparity. But the fit-again Spaniard says it’s a ‘matter of time’ before he’s back to his best.
What’s your podium prediction for the Brazilian Grand Prix?
‘Our track records speak for themselves’ – Jorge Martin on Marco Bezzecchi comparison
Martin and Bezzecchi were rivals in Moto3 in 2018, with the former winning the title and the latter finishing third.
They both raced Ducati MotoGP bikes from 2022 to 2024, but Bezzecchi was at a disadvantage on year-old machinery.
When it was put to Martin by AS that he is still a better rider than Bezzecchi, he agreed. While he respects the #72’s recent performances, he pointed to his superior record.
You’re a MotoGP team boss and you can either sign Marco Bezzecchi or Jorge Martin
Who would you go for?
Bezzecchi only needs one more win to match Martin’s premier-class haul (eight), but is further behind for poles (10 vs 20) and podiums (19 vs 32) and crucially, hasn’t won a championship.
“I think Marco is clearly at a very high level, and right now he’s the favourite,” said Martin. “There’s not much more to it. But I would say you weren’t wrong to say that.
“It’s clear that after what I’ve been through I have to keep working hard to get back to my peak level, but, as I said before, it’s just a matter of time, and I’m very calm about that.
“I think our track records speak for themselves. And then, I don’t know, I’m not going to back down against riders I’ve already beaten in the past. I have to keep going down my own path.”
Are Aprilia favourites for the teams’ championship with Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi?
There is a school of thought that Aprilia should make Bezzecchi their number one rider to maximise their chances of beating Marc Marquez in the world championship.
After all, Bezzecchi has just signed a new contract, while Martin is joining Yamaha in 2027 as a replacement for Fabio Quartararo.
But this dynamic only works when one rider is clearly faster than the other. The sample size of Martin vs Bezzecchi at Aprilia isn’t large enough to cast a verdict either way.
Should Martin stay fit this year, though, Aprilia have a real shot at winning the teams’ title, especially if Francesco Bagnaia’s inconsistent form continues at Ducati.
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