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It's Aprilia's day. At Sky TV headquarters in Milan, Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin took the wraps off the new RS-GP25. Obviously there is a lot of curiosity and anticipation to see what will be the level of competitiveness shown by this brand-new pairing with the Spaniard sporting the #1 plate.
Drawing a quick analysis is Massimo Rivola, who revealed the ambitions for this 2025 season.
"We have to be ambitious, aiming to win," the CEO began, "I say this because we have the world champion with us and also because of what is the history of Aprilia. Today a new era begins and like all beginnings there is a need for time. The faster this first phase will be, the more we can aim high. From what we saw at the first test, the feedback was positive, even though Barcelona is a friendly track. Let's say that at the moment we are in a honeymoon phase where everything is going well."
What does it mean to have the world champion in house, wearing the number 1?
"It is an incentive and a responsibility, in fact we will do everything to maintain it. We know that we are not the benchmark in the category, but the outsider, because we have changed the most and we will need more time. We hope this will be as short as possible, although history teaches that all riders have taken time to adapt."
How would you define the Martin-Bezzecchi pairing?
"The pairing is explosive. They are two talents and two incredible characters, in fact the riding reflects the personality of both of them. I expect a lot from both of them: not only from Jorge, but also from Marco, since he showed amazing things in 2023 and we have to recover that stimulus."
Do you plan to test at Mugello?
"There are no plans to test at Mugello, even though it is one of my tracks. We will do Jerez, Misano and Barcelona, chosen for different reasons."
Can we finally say that this is Rivola's Aprilia?
"The team belongs to everyone, it belongs to Noale, to the Piaggio Group, which has allowed us to make challenging choices. If this is my team, it is because I have more opportunities to shape it. I will therefore try to transfer my motivation to everyone."
Is having the number 1 plate more of a motivation or a responsibility?
"Excuses are worth nothing and the number 1 is more of a responsibility, although a black bike deserves to have the number 1. I understand Jorge's motivation, since he has worked all his life and it is also a motivation for the whole group so that he does not lose it."
Did Fabiano Sterlacchini surprise you?
"I had no doubt, but I am surprised by his ability to be able to adapt to different situations. In addition, he has a vast culture of motorsport. He has had other important experiences, already making mistakes elsewhere, so as a result we hope they will be less in this new experience."
