Marco Bezzecchi
Aprilia chief Fabiano Sterlacchini has revealed what Marco Bezzecchi is doing behind the scenes in Noale that is reminding him of MotoGP legend and mentor Valentino Rossi.
The current championship leader has benefited from having the nine-time Grand Prix motorcycle racing world champion in his corner since he joined the VR46 Riders Academy at the end of 2015.
Bezzecchi then rose to the premier class with VR46’s MotoGP outfit, spending three seasons with the Ducati-backed satellite team before opting to take up Aprilia’s offer of a factory ride ahead of the 2025 campaign.
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The move saw the Italian realise his dream as he became the Noale-based squad’s flag-bearer in Jorge Martin’s injury-hit absence last year, with Bezzecchi citing his desire for more ‘responsibility’ as the main reason why he left Rossi’s team.
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Despite the exit, Rossi was reportedly over the moon with Bezzecchi landing a factory deal, and keenly gave the 27-year-old his blessing before moving forward with negotiations.
He has since become one of the grid’s most frightening talents, and currently leads the MotoGP standings after eight rounds of racing. Out of the four Grand Prix victories he has taken so far in 2026, his victory at the Italian Grand Prix has been the cherry on top.
Following his appearance on the top step of the Mugello podium, Bezzecchi was subjected to comparisons with Rossi, with many paddock figures highlighting that they haven’t seen the Tuscan hills so happy since The Doctor’s exploits at the circuit.
Now Bezzecchi has received further comparisons to the MotoGP icon, with Aprilia chief Fabiano Sterlacchini noting how the Italian’s feedback behind the scenes in Noale ‘reminds’ him very much of the seven-time premier class title-winner.
Asked about the impact that Bezzecchi has had on Aprilia by Sky Italia, Sterlacchini replied, “I’d say a very significant one, essentially for two reasons.
Who from Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Riders Academy reminds you most of the MotoGP legend?
“He’s taken on the development of the entire bike alongside Lorenzo Savadori, and the clarity with which he’s provided us with feedback and comments has been incredible, as has the patience with which he’s helped us understand where the problem lay.
“He guides you with impressive clarity; he reminds me of his mentor, Valentino: he, too, was extremely clinical in identifying all these aspects. Then there’s another reason.
“He showed us that he believed in us and was willing to do anything: this belief has become a shared mantra within the company and has helped enormously in driving us forward with the utmost determination.”
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