MotoGP – “I prefer two thoroughbreds to two donkeys”: with Bagnaia and Bezzecchi, Aprilia finally embraces its ambition

For years, Aprilia searched for its place in the MotoGP hierarchy. Today, the Noale-based manufacturer is no longer simply trying to beat Ducati. It wants to become Ducati. The official arrival of Francesco Bagnaia alongside Marco Bezzecchi from 2027 goes far beyond a simple transfer. It reveals a new philosophy, ambition, and confidence. Even more importantly, it highlights the vision of Massimo Rivola, who has never been afraid of strong personalities. Quite the opposite.

His formula is bound to leave a lasting impression. I prefer working with thoroughbreds rather than donkeys."A provocative statement, but one that perfectly sums up the strategy of..."Aprilia.

For a long time, manufacturers were looking for a number one driver and a teammate capable of maintaining a certain stability. Rivola He reasons in exactly the opposite way. For him, a championship team must bring together two drivers capable of wanting to beat the other, even if it means having to manage tensions.

With George Martin and Marco BezzecchiAprilia had already sent an initial signal. With bagnaia et BezzecchiThe message becomes final. There will be no protected pilots. bagnaia He's not just a champion. The Italian doesn't just arrive with two world titles. He brings additional credibility to a project that already has plenty.

Rivola He doesn't hide his satisfaction, either. Having a multiple world champion is an opportunity; The fact that he chose us is a huge encouragement.The choice of verb is important. It is not Aprilia who convinced Bagnaia. It is bagnaia who chose Aprilia.

In a paddock where Honda et Yamaha continued to possess considerable financial strength; this precision is worth almost as much as a victory.

Rivola: Bagnaia chose Aprilia because he believes he can defeat those who rejected him. »

Another sentence deserves to be highlighted. Training daily with Marco is a sign of his confidence in what we are building here. » bagnaia knows perfectly BezzecchiThe two men have worked together for years within the VR46 Riders AcademyHe knows exactly what level his future teammate has reached. So, if he agrees to share the garage with him, it's not out of naivety. It's because he believes the RS-GP can help him become champion again.

The boss ofaprilia-racing He also took advantage of this announcement to reiterate an often underestimated idea. According to him, Aprilia It doesn't just improve its motorcycles. It also improves its riders.

He cites several examples. take Maverick Vinales He was lost at Yamaha, but with us, he won spectacularly in Austin. The progression of Bezzecchi was also remarkable. Even MartinAfter a difficult year, he has regained his confidence here. »

The message is clear. The strength ofAprilia Its strength no longer lies solely in its technical department. It also rests on its ability to rebuild careers. A reputation that could become a powerful recruitment tool in the years to come.

The question naturally arises: How do you manage two drivers capable of becoming world champions? Rivola does not shy away from the debate. We will see how two roosters get along in the same henhouse. But I prefer to have two champions than two drivers who get along but aren't fast. »

That's probably the difference between Aprilia The 2027 version and the Aprilia of just a few seasons ago. The Italian manufacturer no longer fears internal competition. It seeks it out. Because it believes that it helps a team progress more than the comfort of a fixed hierarchy.

Finally, there is one thing in common between bagnaia et ApriliaThey both have something to prove. bagnaia quits Ducati after having given two world titles to Borgo Panigale before seeing Marc Marquez and Peter Acosta to be preferred to him. ApriliaFor her part, she remains convinced that she now has a motorcycle capable of beating the Desmosedici on all terrains.

Rivola That sums it up perfectly. "If he chose us, it's because he believes he can beat those who rejected him."This sentence goes far beyond a simple transfer. It describes a state of mind. For a long time, ducatHe had the best driver pairing on the grid. From 2027 onwards, he will undoubtedly have the tandem Marquez-Acosta. In response, Aprilia aligns bagnaia et Bezzecchi.

The championship will no longer be just a battle of motorcycles. It will also become a clash between two visions of management. On one side, Ducati Focusing on the present and on two generational phenomena. On the other hand, Aprilia brings together two Italians, two friends, two champions convinced they still have something to prove.

One thing is now certain: Aprilia no longer just wants to participate in the title fight. The Noale brand finally considers itself a legitimate contender for the crown MotoGP.