Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia showcased promising performance during recent tests ahead of the Buriram MotoGP race. The rider from Noale impressed in race simulations, fueling his ambition to be a leading contender at the season opener. Despite his confidence, Bezzecchi anticipates a challenging weekend, especially with Ducati and Marc Marquez eager to defend their previous successes.
Winter Testing and Strategy Focus
Reflecting on preparations, Bezzecchi noted improvements in winter testing and efforts made in Sepang to determine the optimal direction for their setup. He explained,
“We did a good job in the winter tests,”
and added,
“We tried a lot of things in Sepang, trying to figure out which direction to take. Here, however, we focused on the race weekend, and it’s difficult to make comparisons and understand the values in play. But I want to be confident and fight with the best.”
Goals Set for the 2026 Season Start
Bezzecchi aims to improve upon his start to last season, seeking better results early in the year. Regarding ambitions for 2026, he stated,
“My goal is to start better than in 2025, because we didn’t get the results we could have achieved in the first part of the season. Then we’ll see if we need to change our goals or not.”
Marquez Seen as Clear Favorite at Buriram
When discussing race favorites, Bezzecchi identified reigning champion Marc Marquez as the leading contender. He acknowledged Marquez’s dominant 2025 season performance and strong testing form, saying,
“I think the reigning champion is the favorite for this GP. Marc dominated in 2025, he was competitive in both testing and simulation. I want to keep my feet on the ground. The bike has improved in all areas, particularly in stability, an area where we struggled last year. We are working to continue to improve.”
Perspective on Being Viewed as a Favorite
Asked about the pressure of being a favorite himself, Bezzecchi was clear, stating,
“It seems clear to me that it’s not me. I’m not bouncing it off, if anything, it’s the real favourites who are bouncing it off (smiles).”
Race Weekend Excitement and Testing Challenges
As the first Grand Prix approaches, Bezzecchi expressed enthusiasm to transition from testing to racing. He mentioned,
“I’m very happy to get started because I want to race. Testing is great, but at the same time it’s boring and tough; in fact, it wears you out. Obviously, the race weekend is too, where there’s no shortage of work.”
Special Connection with Aprilia
The Noale rider emphasized the unique relationship he has with Aprilia, highlighting his satisfaction with their ongoing partnership.
“Aprilia is special. I can’t compare it to other teams because I’ve only been with two in MotoGP. I’m very happy to have renewed with them. We’re following the same path, so I’m very excited,”
he remarked.
Support and Friendship with Petrucci
Bezzecchi talked about the encouragement he receives from Danilo Petrucci, who promised to celebrate if Bezzecchi reaches the podium in Buriram. He responded,
“Let’s stay calm, we’ll have plenty of time to buy them. I’m pleased that Petrucci is pushing me like this, because it’s very nice. We often talk, and I’d like to see him more too. I hope he manages to get on track with BMW, and I’m sure he will, because he’s a ‘reckless’ rider in battles, and seeing him up there would make the races more exciting.”
Bulega’s Remarkable Victory Streak
Bezzecchi praised Bulega’s outstanding performance with three wins over one weekend, saying,
“He was brilliant. Three wins in a perfect weekend, let’s hope he continues like this.”
Admiration for Brignone’s Olympic Success
The rider expressed admiration for Federica Brignone’s double medal achievement at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, describing it as an extraordinary moment in sports history.
“It was something unique. I told her she would do something incredible. She was great, and it’s a lovely page in sports history. Federica was phenomenal, an inspiration to everyone. It’s something absurd. I spoke to her, and she was really great,”
Bezzecchi said.
Looking Ahead to the Season
With a renewed Aprilia motorcycle showing improvement in key areas like stability, Bezzecchi enters the Buriram MotoGP round with hope and determination. Though aware of the formidable competition, including Marc Marquez and Ducati, Bezzecchi intends to capitalize on the strong start shown in testing. His performance in Buriram could set the tone for a promising 2026 season as he strives to climb the podium and build on his experience.
