Marco Bezzecchi has expressed strong admiration for the Aprilia MotoGP team, calling them “special” as the 2026 season approaches. The praise comes as Bezzecchi prepares for the Thai Grand Prix, confident in the progress both he and the Aprilia RS-GP bike have made over the past year.
Entering 2026, Bezzecchi stands out as one of the sport’s most promising riders. He is the only factory rider with a confirmed seat for the next season, fresh off two consecutive race wins and posting the fastest time in the recent Buriram preseason test. His upward trajectory reflects both personal growth and the team’s evolving competitiveness.
Rapid Progress of Bezzecchi and Aprilia Since Last Season
Nearly a year after Bezzecchi’s debut with Aprilia at the Thai Grand Prix in 2025, both he and the team have made significant advances. While last season he struggled to consistently reach the top-five early on, Bezzecchi is now a regular contender on the podium. The Aprilia RS-GP machine has also seen performance improvements, closing the gap with leading bikes like the Ducati Desmosedici GP.
Bezzecchi attributes much of this success to the environment within Aprilia’s factory and team personnel.
He stated,
“They are special, for sure. For me, a lot. I cannot make another comparison with the other teams because at the end I was only with two teams in MotoGP, but they are special.”
“They take care of me and they love me.”
I feel super-warm inside the box and this makes everything a bit better. I hope to make them feel in the same way.
— Marco Bezzecchi, MotoGP Rider
Bezzecchi Approaches Thai GP With Realistic Expectations
Despite his optimism about the team, Bezzecchi approached the upcoming Thai Grand Prix with caution regarding his chances. He acknowledged the challenges that the race presents compared to testing sessions.
“It’s difficult,” Bezzecchi admitted.
He explained the importance of the winter testing phases, highlighting the key role of Sepang in setting the direction for the new season. Buriram allowed the team to focus more on race weekend preparations rather than development.
He added,
“Here [Buriram] we could focus a bit more on preparing a bit the race weekend. Obviously, a test is always a test and a GP is always a GP, so difficult to make a comparison and difficult to see all the potential from everyone.”
At the end, in testing you never know what the rivals are doing, but hopefully I can start in a good way trying to fight with the top guys.
— Marco Bezzecchi, MotoGP Rider
Marquez Seen as Favorite for Season Opener
Bezzecchi also identified Marc Marquez as the main favorite for victory in Thailand, citing Marquez’s status as the reigning champion and his dominant performance last season.
The first race I think the favourite is always the champion,
Bezzecchi said.
“So, Marc [Marquez] clearly is the favourite because last season he was able to be dominant.”
Bezzecchi Aims for Consistency and Podium Potential
While acknowledging his competitive test results, including a solid race simulation, Bezzecchi emphasized the importance of staying grounded and focused as the race weekend begins.
Of course, I was competitive in the test, also in the race simulation that was not too bad, but I want to keep my feet on the ground, I want to stay focused and try to start the weekend in the best way possible; then of course I would love to be competitive for the podium or for a good race.
— Marco Bezzecchi, MotoGP Rider
Looking Ahead: Impact and Expectations for Aprilia and Bezzecchi
Bezzecchi’s strong relationship with the Aprilia team and his clear commitment to improvement position both rider and manufacturer as key contenders in 2026. His praise of the team’s unique atmosphere points to a foundation that could support sustained success. As the season kicks off at the Thai Grand Prix, all eyes will be on how this promising partnership translates into race results amid fierce competition.
