Bezzecchi-Aprilia, just married: title challenge in 2026 and contract extension?

Bezzecchi triumphs in the last MotoGP race of 2025: will the Aprilia rider be able to fight for the title in 2026?

This MotoGP season ended brilliantly for Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia. The rider from Rimini clinched victory in the final race in Valencia, and the Noale manufacturer celebrated a one-two by placing him and Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse team) on the top two steps of the podium. A great satisfaction.

Neither Bezzecchi nor Aprilia had ever managed to win two full-length races in a row; they did it between Portimão and Valencia. Another milestone in a 2025 that began with some difficulties and then continued with clear growth. What we’ve seen bodes well for the 2026 season.

After the race he spoke to Sky Sport MotoGP’s microphones to comment on what happened this afternoon at Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit: "I feel fantastic," said Bezzecchi, "I’m super happy. It was a beautiful race, I’m happy for myself and for Aprilia. They’re all great, I thank them. Compared to Saturday we barely touched the bike; we just fixed what didn’t work yesterday and changed the tires. Already in the sprint I could have been faster; today the bike was good. With Raul I managed things until there were 6–7 laps to go; I knew I had pushed more at the start, so I had to be a bit cautious later. But in the last 2 laps I didn’t manage a damn thing, it was just about trying to break away."

Raul Fernandez closed to within less than half a second of the rider from Romagna, but he never really had a chance to try an attack. Bez did a great job of giving him no opportunities; he never looked vulnerable. A mature performance.

Speaking to MotoGP’s official channels, the Aprilia rider explained how eager he was to win and how much Fernandez worried him: "I was super motivated; for various reasons on Saturday I couldn’t fight for the podium. I was a bit angry and wanted the chance to battle; that’s the most important thing for me. I was surprised that Alex Marquez wasn’t with us, but not that Raul Fernandez was. I’d seen his pace; he’d been quick all the time. I hoped he’d be a bit less so... In the last laps I got a bit scared because I started to struggle with the rear tire and Raul was coming. It was tough. I’m happy for him, for his team, and for Aprilia."

Bezzecchi can only be satisfied with the end of 2025 and hopes to be even stronger in 2026: "I’m happy with how the season ended. I think especially from Assen onward we started to consistently fight for the top 5–6; I managed to have some good races. Tuesday’s test is important for us; it’ll be a starting point to try to have a good launch into 2026. We’ll try to fight."

After crossing the finish line, there was a funny scene in which the rider asked his RS-GP25 to marry him, ring included. It all happened because of a bet that Bezzecchi won with his team: "It was the best way to close the year together. The bike is coming home with me; luckily, she said yes."

The third-place finisher in the 2025 MotoGP World Championship has built a great relationship with Aprilia, and we wouldn’t be surprised if the parties decide to renew the contract expiring at the end of 2026.