Even the Abu Dhabi Auto Racing League
Ducati VR46 rider Marco Pizzicchi will join 2023 title challenger Jorge Martin in the Aprilia MotoGP lineup for 2025 and 2026, replacing the departing Maverick Vinales and completing something of a dream team for the Italian manufacturer.
Aprilia is hoping the Martin-Bezcchi combination will accelerate the team's efforts to the next level after a successful building period under the retiring Aleix Espargaro.
It will come as no surprise that 25-year-old Bezzecchi will replace Viñales next year following Viñales' unexpected defection to KTM's space machine at Tech3, with team principal Massimo Rivola having made it clear for some time that if Aprilia could not retain the Spaniard they would instead replace him with one of their stars. Rising Italians in MotoGP.
“Welcome aboard one of the best Italian talents, who has shown his worth since his debut in the lower categories and especially last year in MotoGP, with outstanding performances and even great victories,” said Rivola when announcing Bezzecchi’s arrival.
“We can't wait to embrace Bez in Noale [Aprilia’s base]; The Italian cyclist and rider duo are very exciting, but even more exciting is the duo of riders that will be formed with Jorge.
“We are really happy with our line-up for 2025. Martin and Pizzicchi were our first choice given their age, talent, determination and tenacity. With them we can write a new and important chapter in the history of Aprilia Racing.”
With the already confirmed signing of current title leader Martin as number one and Bezzecchi joining him, it means the emergence of a very different – and considerably younger – team for Aprilia next year as it looks to make the leap from rare race winner to title contender.
Despite a difficult start to the 2024 season in which Betzke has achieved just one podium finish at Jerez in the same time frame as his two wins in 2023, it is clear that Aprilia still has confidence in his abilities, especially considering his current VR46 teammate. Fabio Di Giannantonio has consistently outperformed Bezzecchi this season.
There are now only two places left in the 2025 MotoGP World Championship, but with Yamaha expected to retain Alex Rins, it means the Honda bike currently occupied by Joan Mir is the only one still in contention.
Mir has so far been vocal about his unwillingness to stay with the Japanese manufacturer amid its ongoing struggles – but it was rumored last week that he was close to a contract extension with Honda after all.
That leaves only Ducati and Aprilia's satellite seats up for grabs, something that should accelerate in the coming days as the second-tier Pramac team approaches a contract deadline in late June where it must tell Ducati if it will stay with them for 2025 or switch, as is rumoured. , to Yamaha.
