Aprilia under pressure to retain Martín and Bezzecchi in 2027: "They offer our riders a lot of money."

While the 2026 season of MotoGP The season hasn't even started yet, but teams and riders alike are already looking ahead to 2027, when new regulations will come into effect. At this stage, only two riders have secured their futures beyond the upcoming season: Johann Zarco and Diogo Moreira, both with LCR Honda. Both are contracted to the Japanese manufacturer, though it's unclear whether they will remain with the satellite or factory team in 2027. Twenty other riders therefore remain without a contract, promising a particularly active transfer market.

On this front, Aprilia has a lot to lose. Between Jorge Martín, the 2024 world champion, and Marco Bezzecchi, a three-time winner in the 2025 season, the Noale-based manufacturer sees its two leading riders attracting a lot of interest. Their track record has indeed piqued the curiosity of several teams who… offer a lot of money to our pilots "According to Massimo Rivola, the team director.

A high-voltage contract market

While he would have preferred to wait in order to calmly assess his options, Massimo Rivola may be forced to accelerate discussions. Honestly, I'd prefer not to have to extend the pilots' contracts so soon. Maybe I'll be forced to do it quickly because the others are moving quite fast. " he admits during the brand launch event.

For his part, Marco Bezzecchi's philosophy is clear: victory before money. Today, all the MotoGP riders are here to try and win. Everyone is trying to do their best. he analyzes. [My goal] is to try my best with motorcycles, to fight to win. If I win, I will also become rich. »

While Marco Bezzecchi shone last season, contributing significantly to Aprilia's best campaign ever and taking on a leadership role initially intended for Jorge Martín, the latter's trajectory was far more chaotic. The 2024 world champion endured a disastrous season, marked by crashes, retirements, and injuries, making it more difficult to assess his true potential and therefore any decision regarding his future with Aprilia. Obviously, Marco and I started building something that would allow me to see who he is, confides the team manager. We haven't started working with Jorge yet. I'd like to see him at 100% physically, and he's still far from that. He's a world champion, so it would be really great to have him with us in the future. But first, we need to give him time. »

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Jorge Martín's return to the saddle

Jorge Martín was indeed notably absent from the circuits last season, hampered by recurring injuries. Even before the first Grand Prix, he fractured his right hand and left foot during winter testing in Sepang (Malaysia), forcing him to withdraw from the first three rounds of the 2025 season in Thailand, Argentina and the United States.

Determined to return as quickly as possible, the rider then wearing number 1 made his comeback at the Qatar Grand Prix, a fateful turning point in his campaign. In turn 11 at Losail, he crashed and was then hit by Fabio Di Giannantonio's motorcycle. The result was devastating: eleven broken ribs and a pneumothorax.

Still recovering, Jorge Martín reportedly underwent two more surgeries during the winter break, casting doubt on his participation in pre-season testing. Nevertheless, the Madrid player remains resolutely optimistic. After our experience last year with Aprilia and the crucial final tests in Valencia, the goal now is to continue to progress together. I'm sure there will be a lot of work to do at the start of the season, but we know perfectly well where we need to improve. This year, I want to get back in the fight for the top spots and win, he says, determinedly. As soon as I'm at 100% of my physical capacity, we'll be capable of anything. ».

In this uncertain context, negotiations are expected to intensify on the grid and the first announcements of extensions or color changes should not be long in coming.

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