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Marco Bezzecchi will be the Italian rider riding the factory Aprilia so coveted by Massimo Rivola. The market movements triggered by Marc Marquez's move to Ducati Factory have been very fast, falling like dominoes that will lead Bezzecchi to become Jorge Martìn's teammate next season riding the RS-GP.
A great opportunity for Bezzecchi, at his first chance on a 100% Factory bike, with the chance to prove that this beginning of 2024 not up to what he saw last season, is just the result of chance and a lack of harmony with the GP23 he currently has at his disposal in VR46. Assen is the track on which in 2022 Marco achieved his first podium in MotoGP and in 2023, also at Assen, he scored his first victory in the Sprint Race. A track he particularly likes, then.
"This track is great for me. -Bezzecchi said - I really enjoy riding here. There are corners I love, they are fast and very long. In the last two years it has gone really well, so I hope to start well again this season and maybe get a good result. After this little break I have recharged my batteries a bit, which will no doubt help me."
Tell us about this decision to go to Aprilia.
"Every rider dreams of one day becoming an official rider, and I always have too. My goal has always been to grow, improve my skills and then get to represent a brand in MotoGP. I had the chance to do that with Aprilia and I think it is the best possible choice for me."
In 2023 Valentino asked you not to leave VR46 for Pramac, what changed?
"Last season Valentino Rossi did not ask me to stay in VR46, he simply made me an offer and I decided to accept it. That was the case again this year, but we talked about it more, I also asked him for advice because I know very well that he too has been through this kind of decision in his career. He fully understood my decision, even though it was a difficult time for me because I am doing so well with my team. But I dreamed of an official MotoGP bike from the beginning of my career, so Valentino was also happy for me."
Even in Pramac you would have had an official bike.
"I had that possibility at the end of 2023, but my decision was to stay because I only wanted to change for an official team. I could have gone to Pramac, it was a good offer, but I didn't know if I would feel the way I feel now in my team. Now the issue is different because I am going to change to a different, official team. The decision was different. Both Valentino and I are a little sad about this decision, but he is happy for me. In these days we talked a lot, we saw each other on Monday to watch the Italy game. We hugged each other, we were happy. Honestly I was a little bit worried, but he understood and acted as a good friend. I'm happy about that."
In the end it was an easy decision.
"When it comes to your life, they are never easy decisions. Let's say it's a fulfillment of a dream, but I still have a lot of races to do with VR46 and I would like to do well between now and the end of the year. I will also be with a clear mind, so it will be different because I can just focus on riding. I want to try to finish better than how it's going so far."
Was it time to say goodbye to VR46?
"In my opinion with my team I'm doing great, we have done great things together. The potential of the bike and team is very high, so I don't think I decided because I thought I couldn't do more. I simply always dreamed of being an official rider, already in 2023 I had a chance but it was not like today. I thought about it for a while, people close to me helped me. My team also understood me. They would have kept me with open arms, but they understood and let me go."
Will Flamigni go with you to Aprilia?
"Ask Matteo! Let's see now, it's too early to talk about it. Fortunately, the market for technicians works differently and it's later."
For the first time you will be an official rider, it will change your work on the track a lot. Do you feel ready?
"Hard to tell now, it will be my first experience as a Factory rider so I think I will know how to respond better in the future. But being in an official team is completely different, I have many friends who have been there and are still there, like Bagnaia, Morbidelli, Marini. I talked to them about it and they explained a lot of things that will be different for me. But I don't know exactly how it works at the moment, and I'm also curious to find out. Certainly the support from the factory will be different."
Automatic Translation by DeepL
