Aprilia have entered uncharted territory this year with Jorge Martin and Marco Bezecchi and Marco Melandri has warned of a ‘very difficult’ team title battle between the two rivals.
Marco Bezecchi He has dominated all three Grands Prix this year, but his position in the riders’ championship is far from comfortable.
It’s breathing down his neck. Aprilia Teammate George MartinHe is placed in the second place, only four points away from his counterpart.
Does George Martin regret leaving Aprilia to join Yamaha?
The Spaniard’s return to full fitness this year, with the championship still at an early stage, will see Bezeci’s hard work over the past 12 months threaten to close the gap between Noal and their local rivals. Ducati.
While The battle with Ducati is a key narrative. Marco Melandri has warned Aprilia of a potential battle in their MotoGP garages this year.
Marco Melandri predicts that 2026 will be ‘very difficult’ for Massimo Rivola
In an interview with Fan pageThe former MotoGP star gave his thoughts on the current rider at Aprilia and also on the headache Massimo Rivola He will have this year because of the competitiveness of Bezecchi and Martin.
The Italian began by comparing the two riders. “If we’re talking pure talent, Martin is probably one of the best of all time,” Melandri said. “But Bezecchi is a great driver: he has worked hard on himself, on his abilities and has developed amazingly.
“But in the end, talent only counts to a point. What matters is the result.”
Can Marco Bezecic beat Jorge Martin in the Aprilia for the MotoGP title this season?
The five-time premier class grand prix winner was then asked how difficult it would be for Aprilia Top Brazil to manage the two riders this year, and replied: “Very difficult”.
He continued: “As long as one of the two is clearly at the front and the other at the back, everything is easy, but when you start fighting for the championship, everything changes.
“The internal dynamics will be delicate. (Massimo) Rivola will have to be very good at keeping the balance. It’s not easy, even if they have the experience to manage it.”
Massimo Rivola insists both Jorge Martin and Marco Bezecchi have a fair shot at the title.
Of course, the title battle within the team raises the question of which rider the team’s leadership will pick after things get flashy.
In Aprilia’s case Rivola announced that they do not use any group orders Until one of their riders is mathematically out of the championship tie.
however, MotoGP paddock insiders believe that Aprilia will choose Bezecchi In the year To get his hands on the Martin Championship in 2026, but he won’t take it easy.
That’s because Martin is expected to step down from Noale at the end of his current term to instead race for Yamaha under MotoGP’s new regulations next year.
The decision is said to have been made ahead of the current campaign, which begs the question of whether Martin regrets his move to put pen to paper now with the team on the back foot.
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