Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola thinks Jorge Martin has a “big advantage” in the 2026 title fight, as Marco Beszicci is “under pressure” to become the MotoGP champion.
Noale’s outfit has not been able to win the MotoGP title since then Aprilia In the year Split from Gresini to create a working group in 2022. However, the Italian factory is facing an internal struggle for the title this year, as Bezechichi And Martin He climbed to the top of the Knights’ standings in the first three rounds.
Bezeci sits just four points clear of Martin ahead of this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez with scores of 81 and 71 respectively. KTM racer Pedro Acosta is his closest rival on 60 points, ahead of VR46 star Fabio Di Giantonio on 50 for the top Ducati.
Apria has seen Bezcicci win the first three Grands Prix to start the 2026 season, while also leading every lap. Martin won the Sprint at COTA His only win so far, but hot on Bezechi’s heels as the latter crashed out in Sprint Races in Thailand and the US.
Who will win the Spanish Grand Prix?
And let us know why in the comments!
George Martin has a ‘huge advantage’ Marco Bezecchi gave him a ‘benchmark’ at Aprilia
CEO Rival Bezzecchi Grand Prix show Martin believes it is serving as a “benchmark” to see what the Aprilia RS-GP can do, while the latter continues to recover from last year’s injury. After the operation on the neck bone and left hand, it is not completely suitable.
Read more: Jorge Martin set a new record for the worst MotoGP title defense in history
As Martin Francesco Bagnaian won the MotoGP title in 2024 and became the first rider in the MotoGP era to lift the championship for an independent team, Rivola feels he can “enjoy” the title fight with Bezcicci in 2026 – which he doubts will require a team order yet.
Rivola joked that I spoke to my (ex-F1) colleague Andrea Stella to establish the “Black Rules”. Motorsport.com. “It’s true that Martin is not 100% physically yet, and I think he’s still missing something in the closing stages of the race.
“Sometimes he needs to think about things instead of acting instinctively, so I think there is still room for improvement. Above all, he is at a very high level in Marco and the information is shared.
“For these reasons, Jorge has a huge advantage at the moment, there is no pressure on him. Naturally, the pressure has been on Marco since the end of last year.
“Jorge, like Marco, has the advantage of already winning the world championship. So, he doesn’t have much to prove, and maybe he can enjoy things with less pressure after what happened last year.
Massimo Rivola backs Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta to defend Aprilia’s title fight
Alex Marquez Scores first MotoGP win at Jerez in 2025 – Who will be the next Spanish GP winner?
Rivola worked for the Ferrari Formula 1 team from 2009 to 2019 before joining Aprilia as CEO of their MotoGP team. His time at Maranello saw Italy work alongside Stella, who left Ferrari for McLaren in 2015 and has been the F1 team’s principal from 2023.
In the year In 2025, Stella was to manage the internal F1 drivers’ title race between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastre at McLaren, which the former won after overturning a 34-point deficit to his team-mate. McLaren chose not to have a clear No. 1, but occasionally used team orders.
Rivola has already confirmed Aprilia does not use group orders on Martin and Bezecchi. In the year If both emerge as true title contenders in 2026. Ducati’s other rivals are expected to emerge this year in KTM Acosta and MotoGP MotoGP champion Marc Marquez.
“If we find this ‘problem’ – Aprilia riders fighting each other for the title – it’s great, I’m happy,” Rivola added. “But I don’t think they will be the only ones.
“I think Marc Marquez will be in the fight. In fact, I think the championship will really start in Jerez. And then there’s Pedro Acosta, he’s doing something really extraordinary.”
“(Acosta) is one of those riders who makes the difference. And Ducati certainly didn’t lose, they finished first and second.”
Receive competition news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
