Aprilia-Martin start from scratch: Rivola: "The rider market will be crazy"

The MotoGP World Championship has been over for almost two weeks, but the teams’ work certainly hasn’t stopped. Engineers are working on the evolution of the bikes for the 2026 season, and behind the scenes the first market moves are starting to be studied. This year Aprilia discovered it has a great talent in the garage, Marco Bezzecchi, and managed to stop Jorge Martin from “escaping.” But it will be difficult to hold on to the Madrid rider any longer.

With most MotoGP riders out of contract and no one certain who they’ll line up with in the new 850cc era, it’s easy to predict next year’s rider market will bring big surprises and changes. For the Noale manufacturer, the top priority is to lock down Marco Bezzecchi, who delivered an excellent championship. Valentino Rossi’s protégé secured 3rd place in the final standings, two pole positions (the second at Valencia with a lap record), three wins and six race podiums, plus three Sprint wins and three Sprint podiums.

At the start of 2025 all eyes were on MotoGP champion Jorge Martin. But various injuries thrust Bez into the spotlight, and he surprised everyone. The 144 laps led in races by the Aprilia rider were second only to those of champion Marc Marquez. “I’m sure Marco deserves to be considered a priority for Aprilia Racing,” said Massimo Rivola regarding 2027. “And that means we’ll try to secure Marco with us.”

The rider market, according to the Noale boss, “will be crazy,” making predictions impossible. But it’s logical that, like others, Jorge Martin is already looking elsewhere. Months ago he already tried to terminate his contract with Aprilia early to sign with Honda. But faced with the Venetian manufacturer’s wall, “Martinator” had to backtrack. The Spaniard missed a total of 29 races between Sprints and Grands Prix... “Let’s give Jorge time,” Rivola said at the end of the MotoGP season. “He needs to gain confidence in himself, in his body, in his team, in his bike. We must not be in a hurry now.”

For Aprilia it was still the most successful year in MotoGP in the company’s history. Marco Bezzecchi climbed onto the world podium. In the constructors’ championship, Noale took second place. “I’m happy for Aprilia and for Marco. But that doesn’t mean what works for Marco will also work for me,” Martin emphasized. “I’m a completely different rider and I still need more time on the bike.”

The three-day test in Sepang, from February 3 to 5, could be decisive in setting the course. Or perhaps “Martinator” has already decided which path to take. “I have an incredible team around me that fights for me. I don’t know what the future holds; right now I’m an Aprilia rider.” But their future together remains highly uncertain.