Bezzecchi's Faith in Aprilia Project Unwavering Despite Early Season Challenges

Marco Bezzecchi has reaffirmed his unwavering belief in the Aprilia MotoGP project, despite facing initial difficulties throughout the 2025 season, culminating in a dominant victory at the Portuguese Grand Prix.

Aprilia, having emerged as a consistent challenger to Ducati’s dominance, even being regarded as a direct equal by some observers, had to wait until the Portuguese Grand Prix to secure a Sunday victory solely on merit for its factory team. Prior to this, Marco Bezzecchi had tasted victory at the British Grand Prix in May. However, that win was largely influenced by Fabio Quartararo’s unfortunate retirement from a commanding lead. Further, Raul Fernandez secured a win at the Australian Grand Prix in October, representing the independent Trackhouse team rather than the Aprilia factory outfit.

Bezzecchi’s journey with Aprilia in 2025 has been marked by a series of near misses and frustrating setbacks. The rider frequently demonstrated impressive pace, often topping the time sheets in practice sessions, yet struggled to convert that speed into race-winning performances on Sundays. This pattern was particularly evident in the preceding rounds in Indonesia and Australia. At the Indonesian Grand Prix held at the Mandalika circuit, Bezzecchi was involved in a collision with Marc Marquez, resulting in a double long-lap penalty that ultimately paved the way for Fernandez’s victory at Phillip Island.

Despite these challenges, Bezzecchi maintained a steadfast belief in the Aprilia project, a sentiment he expressed following his impressive lights-to-flag victory from pole position at Portimao. "We were able to improve day by day," the Italian rider stated. "Of course, I always believed in the project, and I’ve always been confident with my bike. The engineers and the whole factory in Noale worked super well always. It’s true that at the beginning, we struggled a bit, but then we were able to improve."

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Bezzecchi emphasized the collaborative effort between himself, the team, and the factory in Noale, highlighting the relentless dedication to improving the bike’s performance. "It’s been a long journey for sure until now, because we started very far [from the pace at] the winter test and then we started to improve day by day, hour by hour, on the bike. And the guys worked super well especially all [at] the factory, they were studying and analysing 24/7."

He further elaborated on the contributions of key figures within the team, acknowledging the crucial role played by the engineers, Fabiano Sterlacchini, and test rider Lorenzo Savadori in enhancing the bike’s capabilities. "The work on track with the engineers, Fabiano [Sterlacchini], but also Sava [test rider Lorenzo Savadori], helped a lot for improving the bike. And of course, riding more and more, I also got to know the bike better. We built something better day by day."

Despite the recent progress, Bezzecchi acknowledged that there is still room for improvement, particularly in addressing the bike’s performance at specific tracks. "Of course, we are still missing something. You can see at some tracks, we suffer a little bit more. But also every Friday, we are a bit [further from the pace]. We had to start [weekends] always from zero – but for the moment, it’s going well and hopefully we can continue like this."

The Portuguese Grand Prix victory has all but secured Bezzecchi’s third-place finish in the championship standings, trailing behind the Marquez brothers. Heading into the Valencia finale, Bezzecchi holds a comfortable 35-point lead over Francesco Bagnaia, who currently occupies fourth place. For Bagnaia to surpass Bezzecchi in the standings, he would need to secure maximum points at Valencia, while Bezzecchi would have to fail to score any points.

Aprilia’s 2025 Season Performance

Aprilia’s 2025 season has been a story of gradual improvement and increasing competitiveness. The team faced initial challenges in adapting to the new regulations and optimizing the performance of their RS-GP machine. However, through relentless development and strategic adjustments, Aprilia has emerged as a formidable force in the MotoGP paddock.

The team’s performance throughout the season has been characterized by a consistent presence at the front of the grid, with both factory riders and independent team representatives securing podium finishes and race victories. The RS-GP’s strengths lie in its well-rounded package, combining a powerful engine with nimble handling and advanced electronics. Aprilia’s engineers have also made significant strides in improving the bike’s aerodynamic efficiency, contributing to its overall competitiveness.

Marco Bezzecchi’s Career Trajectory

Marco Bezzecchi, born on November 12, 1998, in Rimini, Italy, is a rising star in the world of motorcycle racing. He began his racing career in the Italian Minimoto Championship before progressing through various junior series. In 2018, Bezzecchi made his debut in the Moto2 World Championship, where he quickly established himself as a frontrunner. He secured his first Moto2 victory in 2020 and finished the season in fourth place overall.

In 2022, Bezzecchi made the step up to MotoGP with the VR46 Racing Team, riding a Ducati. He impressed with his consistent performances and secured his first MotoGP podium finish at the Dutch Grand Prix. In 2025, Bezzecchi joined the Aprilia Racing Team, embarking on a new chapter in his career.

Looking Ahead: The Valencia Finale

The Valencia finale promises to be an exciting conclusion to the 2025 MotoGP season. While the championship title has already been decided, there is still plenty to race for, including the battle for third place in the standings. Marco Bezzecchi will be aiming to consolidate his position and secure a well-deserved podium finish in the championship.

Aprilia will also be looking to end the season on a high note, demonstrating the progress they have made throughout the year. The team’s riders will be pushing hard to secure a strong result at Valencia, showcasing the competitiveness of the RS-GP machine.

The Valencia Grand Prix is scheduled to take place from November 14-16 at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo. The race will be broadcast live on various television networks and online streaming platforms.

Quotes from Other Riders and Team Personnel

Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team): "Marco has been riding really well this year. He’s a talented rider, and he’s adapted to the Aprilia quickly. I’m happy to see him winning races."
Massimo Rivola (Aprilia Racing CEO): "We are very proud of Marco’s performance. He’s a valuable asset to our team, and he has a bright future ahead of him. We are committed to providing him with the best possible equipment to achieve his goals."
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team): "Marco is a strong competitor. He’s always pushing to the limit. I’ll be doing my best to close the gap in the standings at Valencia."

Statistical Background

Aprilia’s MotoGP debut: 2002
Aprilia’s first MotoGP victory: 2000 (Colin Edwards, Donington Park)
Aprilia’s total MotoGP victories: 5
Marco Bezzecchi’s MotoGP debut: 2022
Marco Bezzecchi’s MotoGP victories: 2
Marco Bezzecchi’s best championship finish: 3rd (2025)

Upcoming Fixtures

Valencia Grand Prix: November 14-16, Circuit Ricardo Tormo

Conclusion

Marco Bezzecchi’s unwavering belief in the Aprilia project has been instrumental in the team’s progress throughout the 2025 MotoGP season. Despite facing initial challenges, Bezzecchi’s determination and the collaborative efforts of the team and factory have yielded impressive results, culminating in a dominant victory at the Portuguese Grand Prix. As the season draws to a close, Bezzecchi is poised to secure a well-deserved third-place finish in the championship standings, solidifying his position as a rising star in the world of motorcycle racing.