The second half of the 2025 MotoGP campaign showed signs that it was possible for Marc Marquez and Ducati to be beaten by a rival rider/constructor pairing, and Aprilia’s Massimo Rivola is ‘convinced’ that they could be the ones to do it in 2026.
Due to the absence of Jorge Martin for the majority of the 2025 season in the premier class, Marco Bezzecchi was forced to take up the mantle of Aprilia’s flag-bearer during his debut season with the Italian constructor.
The 27-year-old brilliantly rose to the challenge, showing fine one-lap pace and taking the fight to Marc Marquez on a number of occasions during racing conditions.
Bezzecchi recorded his best season in MotoGP yet as he claimed three Grand Prix victories, a handful more podiums and four pole positions on his way to securing a second third-place finish in the riders’ standings in the last three years.
However, his team principal, Massimo Rivola, believes the Italian rider can take a few more steps forward in 2026 and truly challenge the 2025 title-winner for glory in the upcoming campaign.
Massimo Rivola truly believes that Aprilia can dethrone Marc Marquez and Ducati next season
In an interview with Italian MotoGP journalist Cosimo Curatola, Rivola was asked several questions regarding Aprilia’s emergence as a candidate for the top step of the podium in the latter half of the 2025 campaign.
Starting by referencing the unfortunate injury of Marquez that ruled him out of the last four rounds of the season, Rivola said, “Honestly, I still feel bad for Marc, that it was us with Marco who put him out of action.
“Also, because just before the summer, I had said that we would beat Marc, but I wanted to do it on track, not like that. I’m convinced that, for example, in Indonesia, Marco had more than Marc.
“I would’ve liked to see Australia, because Aprilia was really flying in Australia, just look at Raul’s win. But I know that Marc also makes a difference there, so I would have liked to see this challenge.
“Then Bezz also won in Portimao, let’s say with less of a gap. But I would have really liked it, and I am absolutely convinced that this next year, assuming that we don’t know where the bikes will be and if we draw a line now where the bikes are worth what they are worth now, in my opinion, we can play for it.
“Let’s not forget that Marco fought with him a lot in Misano. It was one of the most beautiful races, even though I have to say we didn’t win.”
Jorge Martin was surprised by Marco Bezzecchi’s competitiveness in 2025
Over the course of the 22-round season, Martin was absent from the grid for a total of 14 race weekends, leaving Aprilia test rider Lorenzo Savadori to race in his stead.
It was a sorely disappointing season for the Madrid-native, whose performances in 2025 were highly anticipated following his maiden premier class title in the year prior, as well as his switch to Aprilia machinery for the new season.
Martin couldn’t have been more impressed with how his teammate stepped up during his absence from the grid.
After racing against Bezzecchi during their respective stints in Moto3 and Moto2, Martin detailed how surprised he was by the form of his Aprilia counterpart atop a machine on which he lacked race experience.
Martin returned to action at the final round of the season in Valencia, in a bid to gain as much mileage with the Aprilia prototype before making a genuine challenge for the title next season.
If Rivola’s words are anything to go by, it should be a very intriguing championship fight.
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