Marco Bezzecchi
Jorge Martin will continue to receive an ‘identical’ bike to Marco Bezzecchi despite deciding to leave Aprilia, Massimo Rivola says.
Bezzecchi leads Martin in the world championship by just 15 points heading into this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix. There’s a very real chance that they go head-to-head for the title.
While Bezzecchi has already signed a contract extension with Aprilia – the only 2027 deal that has been announced at this stage – Martin is believed to be joining Yamaha. Naturally, some suspect this will have a bearing on the title fight.
Will Jorge Martin regret leaving Aprilia to join Yamaha?
Massimo Rivola: ‘The important thing is that the Aprilia wins’
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Rivola was adamant that Martin’s decision wouldn’t affect his treatment. His only concern is that an Aprilia rider wins the title, even if the #89 lifting the trophy would be bittersweet.
Both factory riders and the satellite Trackhouse duo will be given the ‘same equipment’ between now and the end of the season.
Asked how Martin’s ‘likely’ departure would influence the internal dynamics, Rivola said: “Not at all. We’re focused on the present and the future. When we get to the end of the year, if both riders are in the fight for the world championship, they’ll both be going for it.
Will Jorge Martin’s upcoming Aprilia exit affect the MotoGP title fight?
Martin is believed to be joining Yamaha in 2027
“Will they have the same equipment? Absolutely. And not just them, but all four of them. We provide four identical bikes, according to each rider’s preference.
“One prefers one chassis, and another prefers a different one. For us, these are four riders who should win with the Aprilia, so whoever wins with the Aprilia, great. The important thing is that the Aprilia wins.”
Practically, there will have to be some restrictions imposed on Martin. Full-time MotoGP riders will be able to test the 850cc 2027 bikes for the first time in June, but the Spaniard is likely to be shut out to ensure he doesn’t take any secrets to Yamaha.
Massimo Rivola’s telling hint about Francesco Bagnaia joining Aprilia
While there have been some whispers that Aprilia would still like to keep Martin, it’s widely believed that they have already signed Francesco Bagnaia. Bagnaia is available after Ducati reportedly gave his seat to Pedro Acosta.
Asked what he values in a rider, Rivola explained that motivation and teamwork were the most important qualities.
- READ MORE: Aprilia ‘desperately hoping’ Marco Bezzecchi wins the MotoGP world championship over Jorge Martin
He said: “What interests me about a rider is that he has one fundamental quality: that he’s hungry. If he’s hungry, we’re starting from a good base, and that he’s a rider who knows how to work as part of a team and not an individualist.
When it was put to him that Bagnaia met that description, he replied: “I like that you say that, so to speak.”
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