MotoGP News: Bezzecchi re-signs with Aprilia Racing

In a move that kicks off the 2027 MotoGP silly season, Aprilia Racing has officially extended its partnership with Italian rider Marco Bezzecchi (pictured) through a new multi-year contract.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

While several riders are locked in for the upcoming era, Bezzecchi becomes the first major piece to fall into place amid anticipated roster shake-ups among top teams and expiring two-year deals.

The announcement, revealed on Monday, comes as no shock following Bezzecchi’s breakout 2025 campaign with the Noale-based squad. To celebrate, Aprilia infused the news with humor, framing the contract as a whimsical “marriage” between Bezzecchi and his beloved RS-GP bike, affectionately dubbed “Albarosa.” This playful nod references Bezzecchi’s dramatic gesture at the season-ending Valencia Grand Prix, where he knelt before the machine after securing his final win of the year.

The press release whimsically outlines the “union” in contractual terms, covering everything from shared assets to on-track fidelity:

– Property Agreement: Bezzecchi and Albarosa agree to share components, upgrades, tires, fuel, and performance bonuses.
– Maintenance and Care: Bezzecchi pledges diligent upkeep, while the bike promises power delivery without “electronic jealousy” toward rivals.
– Faithfulness: The rider commits to loyalty across Aprilia’s prototypes.
– Race Management: Joint decisions on strategy, with Bezzecchi’s instincts taking precedence—though the bike can “protest” via vibrations, within traction control limits.
– Duration: Effective immediately and lasting “as long as he desires to race” and “fuel flows through her injectors.”
– Jurisdiction: Advises against legal disputes, with final provisions affirming mutual understanding of each other’s quirks.

This lighthearted approach aligns with Bezzecchi’s charismatic personality, as noted by team CEO Massimo Rivola.

“I’m extremely happy to have renewed for another two years,” Bezzecchi said in a statement. “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.”

Rivola echoed the enthusiasm: “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.”

Bezzecchi’s decision to re-sign underscores his rapid ascent with Aprilia. In his debut season with the team in 2025, the 28-year-old shattered records, becoming the most successful rider in Aprilia’s MotoGP history. Highlights include three Grand Prix victories (Silverstone, Portimão, and Valencia), three Sprint race wins (Misano, Mandalika, and Phillip Island), 15 total podiums, and five pole positions (Austria, Misano, Mandalika, Portimão, and Valencia). These feats propelled him to third in the riders’ championship with 353 points, marking a pivotal turnaround for the Italian manufacturer.

As MotoGP’s rider market heats up, Bezzecchi’s commitment provides stability for Aprilia amid rumors of big-name shifts. With his blend of speed, consistency, and fan appeal, “Bez” positions himself as a cornerstone for the team’s future ambitions, potentially challenging for titles in the seasons ahead.