Marco Bezzecchi’s red-hot start to the 2026 MotoGP season continued in Brazil, as the Italian claimed his fourth consecutive victory of the year.
Bezzecchi also became the first Aprilia rider to string together four straight wins in MotoGP, adding to his dominant run from Buriram to Goiânia. The early-season surge has him sitting comfortably atop the championship standings.
Aprilia enjoyed a 1-2 finish in Brazil, with Jorge Martin crossing second ahead of polesitter Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marc Marquez. Di Giannantonio had started from pole position and held the early lead but gradually faded as Bezzecchi found his rhythm.
The Sprint race hadn’t gone as smoothly for Bezzecchi, who finished off the podium while Martin took top honours. But he had support from Valentino Rossi heading into Sunday’s main event – and it made a difference. After securing Aprilia’s first-ever top-flight title last season, Bezzecchi looks every bit capable of going back-to-back in 2026.
Valentino Rossi Motivated Marco Bezzecchi Before His Victory in Brazil
Rossi has been a constant presence behind Bezzecchi this year. He played a huge role in his rise, bringing him through the VR46 Academy and giving him his MotoGP debut with the team.
Even if Rossi isn’t completely convinced about Bezzecchi’s title hopes, he hasn’t stopped backing him. After the race in Goiânia, speaking to Sky Italia, Bezzecchi shared what the MotoGP legend had said to him beforehand.
“Yes, it was brilliant – a great day, a great race,” said Bezzecchi. “I’m really happy because, given where we were on Friday, I honestly never thought we’d manage to win.
“But we made a big improvement yesterday; we worked hard last night and I felt good right from the start this morning. And Vale sent me a message – that gave me a bit of a boost too.”
The 27-year-old continued: “No, he told me I was on form, he said: ‘Great job Bez – go for it.’ And I believed him. I felt good and it was brilliant. I’m really happy.”
Marco Bezzecchi lays down a marker for Marc Marquez
So far in 2026, Marc Marquez is still searching for his first Grand Prix podium. Although he did pick up the Sprint victory in Brazil, he hasn’t been able to match Aprilia’s pace over the full distance on Sundays.
Marquez has pointed out that Aprilia now holds the edge Ducati had in 2025. The Noale-based team have made clear progress this season, with Bezzecchi playing a significant role in that rise.
With Martin sidelined last year, Bezzecchi stepped up as the team’s lead rider and was heavily involved in developing the RS-GP. This season, he’s started to translate that work into results and has put himself firmly in the title picture.
Dani Pedrosa believes Bezzecchi may have started a ‘psychological war’ with Marquez. While their battle for the championship could be tight, Aprilia currently holds the upper hand.
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