Twelfth place in the 2024 world championship may not have satisfied Marco Bezzecchi, who at the beginning of the year had started out with completly different goals.
A difficult marriage with the Ducati GP23, within the VR46 Pertamina team, led to a championship with few highs that yielded 'Bez' just 153 points. Less than half of those totaled by Marquez (392), but also less than those of his brother Alex (173) and teammate Di Giannantonio (165).
Bezzecchi's only high point came in the Spanish GP, where he finished on the third step of the podium in Jerez behind Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez less than 4" behind the winner.
Definitely not much for the rider who the year before, in 2023, had been third overall with three victories to his name. That is why this year with the new adventure riding the official Aprilia Marco is among the valuable outsiders. A lot is expected of him, even though his teammate, world champion Jorge Martin, is definitely an uncomfortable customer...but also a good benchmark. So when asked about his first impressions of the RS-GP25, he threw it out there with a joke.
"The black makes me look good! - joked Marco - I'm very happy to have joined Aprilia, it's a fantastic and historic group for our sport. It's also a nice responsibility."
You've been in Noale these days, what did you find?
"A really nice racing department. I finally had the chance to get to know all the people who work within it, and I saw boundless passion. When they saw me and Martin their eyes shone and it was exciting. They have been working so hard all winter and in my opinion they have already made progress."
After so many years in the VR46 team you got out of your comfort zone, was that what you needed?
"With them I had a great time and I still have a great relationship with all the guys in the team, with Uccio, with Vale, I was very lucky to be able to work with them. This is a big change for me, I would say I changed everything. It's challenging and I'm nervous, but it's a positive nervousness that gives me ... a little kick in the butt! I'm looking forward to lapping because I need it."
Having the world champion on the other side of the box is a stimulus but also trouble...
"Jorge undeniably is a very strong rider and it's a blessing to be able to see his data and how he works. He's also trouble though because he won't stop going strong (laughs)."
In Moto2 and Moto3 you used to clash...
"We were very young and I in the first place was much less mature, managing rivalry at that age is difficult and we had some tough moments, we clashed a lot. Now we have grown up, right now Martin is the strongest in the world, so I will have to learn and take my cues from him, it's a good opportunity to grow. It will be important to work together because, as we have seen from our rivals, the more strong riders you have, the stronger you get."
What do you think you can learn from Martin?
"First of all he can be very fast in a very short time, it will be important to use him as a benchmark. I will try to copy everything he does better than me, he is the world champion and the strongest. Aside from his skills on the bike, he also has a great work ethic, he is very motivated and focused at all times, which was not always easy for me last year."
Is the goal for Aprilia to become the anti-Ducati, considering that Bagnaia and Marquez will be in red?
"I don't know, we haven't even done the first test. From our side, the first goal is to adapt to each other as soon as possible. A great relationship is being established, but working together during the season is always different. Let's start with adapting, then we'll see."
What sort of year do you expect?
"It will be a very important season because last year I suffered, but it was an honor to have had the chance to come to Aprilia. As I said, I suffered a lot and so I have a lot of nerves to throw out. I hope to be able to express myself as best I can on this bike, I'm sure I will receive the best support and I will give it my all."
What were your first impressions of the RS-GP in the Barcelona tests?
"I tested the 2024 and then the 2025, and I was struck by the great front-end stability and advanced aerodynamics. The biggest difference between the two RS-GPs was that the 2025 lapped a little better, and that was a good starting point, also because both Martin and I gave the same indications. This allowed the engineers to be able to focus on two similar paths during the winter. Compared to the Ducati it requires a different style and I will have to adapt."
Rivola would have wanted you at Aprilia even earlier.
"In 2020 Massimo asked me, but I didn't feel ready for MotoGP, he then gave me one handgrip and last year, after the agreement, he gave me the other one. I think Aprilia is a special family, I didn't expect such a warm welcome."
How different is it to be in an official team?
"It's very cool and very different from being in a satellite team. There are hundreds of people working for you, it's great. In the pit box there are so many people around you when you stop and I was a little nervous at first, I thought if I said some shit it would be a problem (laughs). I also saw how much work they do in the company, they give you everything you ask for."
Can you imagine what it might mean to win with Aprilia?
"The affection of the people who work at Aprilia is a good feeling, it makes me breathe. I hope to win soon, I don't know what emotion I will feel, but I will probably cry."