Marco Bezzecchi has reflected on his evolving relationship with Jorge Martin, admitting that while they used to have a tense and sometimes confrontational dynamic in their younger racing days, the two MotoGP riders have developed a mutual respect over time.
Speaking during the Grand Prix of the Americas weekend, Bezzecchi was candid about their past, saying:
“In the early years, especially in Moto2 and Moto3, we had some difficult moments. We were young, competitive, and sometimes angry with each other—it’s pretty normal in this sport. But now, we’ve both matured a lot.”
Martin, who has missed the first three rounds of the season due to preseason injuries, is set to return at the upcoming Qatar Grand Prix. Bezzecchi acknowledged that his absence has been a challenge for Aprilia, who had signed Martin as a major addition for 2025.
“Not having Jorge in the garage has been tough. He’s an incredible rider—fast, strong, and with a lot of experience. I respect him a lot for that, and I think he respects me, too. We’re not close friends—I wouldn’t go to dinner with him or anything—but we get along, and I hope that by sharing a team this year, we can improve our relationship even more. Who knows? Maybe by the end of the season, we’ll finally have that dinner,” he joked.
With Martin sidelined, Bezzecchi has been the sole focus for Aprilia’s engineers, a unique challenge in his first year as a factory rider.
“It was strange during the winter because I was alone in the box. Having all the responsibility for the bike’s development placed squarely on my shoulders was a new experience. The engineers were all focused on me, and while that’s a big opportunity, it also comes with pressure. Your feedback determines the direction of the bike, and you have to make key decisions that affect performance.”
Having left the VR46 Racing Team to join Aprilia’s factory setup, Bezzecchi is ambitious about their potential. While Ducati remains the dominant force in MotoGP, he’s hopeful Aprilia can soon challenge that status.
“At the moment, Ducati is their own biggest rival because they have so many fast riders and teams. But Aprilia is improving race by race. We’re getting closer, and I believe we’re not far from becoming a real threat to not just Ducati, but to all the top manufacturers and riders on the grid.”
Looking ahead, Bezzecchi made his long-term goals clear:
“I’d love to get a podium soon with this new team and bike—that’s my first goal. But ultimately, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe I could become a MotoGP World Champion. That’s the dream—for me and for Aprilia—and we’ll keep working to make it a reality.”
