Marco Bezzecchi
Paolo Campinoti has sent a stern warning to Aprilia that Jorge Martin could win the MotoGP title and then ‘go away’ like he did with Pramac.
Back in 2024, Spaniard Martin became the first rider in the MotoGP era to win the world title with an independent team, beating Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez to the championship.
After winning the title with Pramac, Martin left the team and joined Aprilia, the team he currently races for.
So far in the 2026 season, Martin has scored 90 points, securing two podium finishes and currently trails teammate Marco Bezzecchi by 11 points.
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Paolo Campinoti warns Aprilia that Jorge Martin can win the title and ‘go away’
Speaking recently to Sky Sports Italia, Pramac team boss Campinoti claimed that Martin is his favourite to win the title and warned that he could clinch the trophy and then ‘go away’, just like he did after 2024.
Campinoti said: “Yes, in my opinion, Martin can do what he did with us: win the World Championship and go away.
“Bezzecchi is very good, very fast. But Martin is 10 points away and is still gaining familiarity with the bike. I wouldn’t underestimate him, for me it will be a Jorge-Bezzecchi duel.”
When asked whether Marquez, the 2025 world champion, is still the man to beat, Campinoti replied: “Yes, he is, but now he is not in the ideal position. I would bet more on those two (Martin and Bezzecchi).”
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Paolo Campinoti claims Aprilia have overtaken Ducati as the ones to beat
Aprilia currently lead the championship, having scored 125 points, with Ducati second on 106, leaving the likes of KTM, Honda and Yamaha in the rear-view.
Having won three out of the four races so far in 2026, Campinoti believes that Aprilia have now overtaken Ducati. However, he also stated that Ducati could mount a comeback, especially with Luigi “Gigi” Dall’Igna at the helm.
When asked if Aprilia have now ‘reduced’ the gap to Ducati, Campinoti said: “More than reduced, it seems to me that there is a clear overtaking by Aprilia over Ducati.
“They won the first three races, dominating. In addition, we are not talking about a single rider, but all the Aprilias are doing well. Ducati struggled even on tracks where it has always dominated, like Austin.
“By now, I think that the bike to beat is the Aprilia more than the Ducati. Today. Because things can always change: underestimating Dall’Igna is always a very grave error, because he is the most capable person there is in the paddock.
“I have no doubts that Gigi will pull out something. But that today Aprilia has an advantage over Ducati is equally beyond doubt.”
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