- Multi-year contract between Aprilia Racing and Marco Bezzecchi
- Contract extension after the 2026 MotoGP season
- Creative staging of the contract as a symbolic “marriage” with the RS-GP
After intense speculation in the MotoGP paddock, Aprilia Racing has provided clarity early on. The Italian manufacturer is extending its collaboration with Marco Bezzecchi for another two years (until the end of 2028). The decision follows a successful first season for the Italian in the factory team from Noale.
Contract extension with symbolic staging
Instead of a sober press release, Aprilia Racing presented the contract extension in the form of a symbolic marriage contract between Marco Bezzecchi and the RS-GP, internally known as “Albarosa.” The contract tongue-in-cheek describes the mutual obligations of rider and motorcycle, from technical maintenance to strategic racing decisions.
The approach is deliberately humorous, picking up on the often exaggerated atmosphere of the so-called silly season. The staging included a complete contract with clearly defined responsibilities on and off the track.
Technical and sporting responsibilities according to the contract
In the section “Maintenance, Care, and Sporting Custody,” Marco Bezzecchi undertakes to maintain and treat the RS-GP in accordance with the technical specifications. In return, the motorcycle is to deliver performance depending on the movement of the throttle, without showing “electronic jealousy” towards other machines in the field.
Under the heading “Race Management and Strategic Decisions,” it is stipulated that decisions on tire choice, setup, and race strategy will be made jointly. In the event of a conflict, however, the rider’s feeling on the track shall be decisive, while the motorcycle may only express its disagreement through controlled vibrations or slipping.
Term and legal framework
The agreement is valid from the date of signing and is set to run for several years. According to the contract, it will end when Bezzecchi no longer wishes to race or when fuel no longer flows through the RS-GP’s fuel injection system. No place of jurisdiction is expressly named, as the contract states that previous cases of legal disputes should be avoided.
Comments on the contract extension
Marco Bezzecchi himself commented on the extension:
“I’m extremely happy to have renewed for another two years. From the first day I signed, I had the goal in mind of building a long-term project. I’m happy to have found the support of the entire team and the whole Noale factory. I hope I’ll be able to give them a lot of joy, as they most certainly will with me.”
Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing, also commented on the decision:
“We are obviously extremely satisfied, because the renewal was our priority. We wanted to celebrate the signing in a particularly fun way, which I believe goes perfectly well with Marco’s personality. We have built a path creating solid foundations, and the fact that Marco chose to stay with us, in spite of various other offers he received, gives us great pleasure and further highlights the work and spirit of this team.”
Sporting results for the 2025 season
In his first season with Aprilia Racing in 2025, Marco Bezzecchi became the most successful rider in the team’s MotoGP history to date. He achieved three victories in main races and three victories in sprint races. In addition, he achieved a total of 15 podium finishes and five pole positions. Bezzecchi finished the season in third place overall in the world championship with 353 points.
What does this mean for me as a MotoGP fan?
Above all, the contract extension provides planning security. For MotoGP fans, this means that Aprilia Racing and Marco Bezzecchi can continue on their chosen path without any short-term upheavals. A consistent rider team facilitates sporting development over several seasons and makes performances easier to compare. At the same time, the early decision reduces speculation during the season and shifts the focus more onto the racing itself rather than contractual issues in the background.
