Marco Bezzecchi has caught the attention of Jorge Lorenzo, with the MotoGP legend praising the Italian’s rise at Aprilia. Bezzecchi is almost certain to finish third in this year’s world championship.
Bezzecchi’s win in Portugal – his second Grand Prix victory of the season and fifth including Sprints – has given him a 35-point lead over Francesco Bagnaia with just 37 left to play for. He will equal his best-ever premier class finish, having also claimed third place in 2023.
This season he’s had to step up as Aprilia’s leader, with Jorge Martin sidelined for much of the year due to injury. Bezzecchi has become their focal point and is a major reason why they’re on track for second place in the constructors’ standings.
“Pecco surprised me a lot. At Le Mans he was very consistent, and I wasn’t expecting that,” he told TNT Sports. “Even though he didn’t win, this was important.”
Jorge Lorenzo says Marco Bezzecchi was ‘pushing’ all day in private Misano test
Speaking on the Duralavita YouTube channel, three-time premier-class champion Lorenzo revealed that he shared the track with Bezzecchi at Misano recently.
The 27-year-old ‘came alone with his road bike’ and showcased his impressive work ethic by relentlessly chasing lap times.
Lorenzo feels that Bezzecchi is at one with the Aprilia motorcycle, which has allowed him to capitalise on the Noale outfit’s recent progress. Since the chequered flag in Mugello, he’s scored 229 points, more than every rider except Marquez.
“I shared the Misano circuit with him in a test,” said Lorenzo. “He came alone with his road bike and he spent the whole day, pushing, pushing, pushing.
“He’s a hard worker and very hungry for victory. He’s adapted very well to the bike. You see him very compact, in one piece with the bike. It’s not just Aprilia who did a great job, but also the rider.”
Bezzecchi’s response to Marc Marquez questions highlights his humble side
Dani Pedrosa has described Bezzecchi as the biggest surprise of the season, and it’s hard to argue given where he finished last year. The Italian has climbed from 12th in the standings to being on the verge of a podium finish.
Massimo Rivola took a chance on Bezzecchi when few others were interested, believing he had something different despite his low stock at the time.
READ MORE: Dani Pedrosa reveals the rider who has been the biggest surprise of the 2025 MotoGP Season
But despite the growing attention, Bezzecchi isn’t getting carried away. He admits that he’s not yet at the level of Marc Marquez or even Alex Marquez. He knows both he and Aprilia still have plenty to prove.
Bezzecchi and Marquez haven’t always seen eye to eye in the past, but their reactions following a recent crash in Indonesia showed there is now mutual respect between them.
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