Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola believes Jorge Martin is “thinking what I’m thinking” after watching Aprilia’s impressive form at Mandalika and Phillip Island, where both factory and satellite bikes dominated despite Martin’s absence.
Marco Bezzecchi has been the standout performer, winning both Sprint races and emerging as the favorite for the full-distance Grands Prix, though a collision with Marc Marquez in Indonesia cost him a likely victory. Meanwhile, Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez claimed his first MotoGP win in Australia, marking another milestone for Aprilia.
“He’s thinking what I’m thinking,” Rivola said when asked how Martin might feel about missing out on such strong performances. “Honestly, I know he’s quite special at those two tracks. I thought when we got there, he would perform and gain the confidence to reach Marco’s level. But then we know what happened in Motegi, so everything is postponed.”
Martin’s season has been plagued by injuries, missing ten of the first eleven rounds of his Aprilia career. His best result was a fourth place in Hungary before crashing out in Japan, fracturing his collarbone.
Looking ahead, Rivola says Aprilia’s focus is already on 2026 testing. “This sport is brutal — you can’t take anything for granted,” he said. “Even if you’re a champion, you still need to build performance every day. Jorge understands that now. We’ll have a proper Sepang test next year with no rush, no pressure, and I’m sure Jorge will be back fighting with Marco for the championship.”
Bezzecchi currently sits third in the standings, behind Marc Marquez and Alex Marquez, as Aprilia continues its rise as Ducati’s biggest threat.
