Neil Hodgson Suspects Aprilia Told Bezzecchi to Accept Something About Jorge Martin at Misano

Jorge Martin has earned his second-ever automatic Q2 place as an Aprilia rider, delivering a much-needed result during pre-qualifying practice for the 2025 MotoGP San Marino Grand Prix at Misano. The Spaniard, who has endured a difficult run of qualifying sessions since the summer break, finally broke back into the top 10 by finishing P8 on Friday.

What made the difference? A perfectly timed slipstream from his Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi, who himself delivered a superb performance to end the day in P2, just behind Ducati’s Marc Marquez.

Aprilia Riders in Q2 at Misano

The Noale-based manufacturer had reasons to celebrate at Misano as both of their factory riders secured direct entry into Q2. Bezzecchi was outstanding with a lap of 1:30.627, placing him second overall and only 0.147s behind Marquez’s session-topping 1:30.480. Martin, meanwhile, produced a late charge to clock 1:30.857, which was enough to seal eighth place.

For Aprilia, the result was significant. It demonstrated the progress of their RS-GP package while also highlighting how teamwork and strategy can sometimes be the key to unlocking performance in MotoGP.

Martin’s Rollercoaster Session

The journey to Q2 was far from smooth for Martin. For much of the session, he lingered outside of the top 10, even slipping down to P18 as other riders improved their times. His chances of going straight to Q2 seemed slim until the final minutes, when Bezzecchi appeared ahead of him on track.

With just four minutes remaining, Martin latched onto his teammate’s tow and used the slipstream to set his best lap of the day, briefly climbing to P6. The lap time eventually left him in eighth as Franco Morbidelli and Luca Marini improved, but it was still enough to secure his first automatic Q2 since Brno in July.

Adding to his fortune, several late yellow flag incidents further protected his place in the top 10. Crashes for Augusto Fernandez at Turn 2, Joan Mir at Turn 10, Raul Fernandez at Turn 15 and Jack Miller at Turn 1 prevented other riders from challenging his lap, leaving Martin safely inside the cutoff.

Hodgson and Guintoli Debate Aprilia’s Strategy

The sight of Martin benefitting from Bezzecchi’s slipstream sparked debate among MotoGP pundits. Former world champion Neil Hodgson suggested that Aprilia may have orchestrated the move to ensure both of their riders advanced to Q2.

On TNT Sports 2, Hodgson commented: “Possibly, yeah. I can imagine Massimo Rivola told them, ‘Listen, we need you to do something here.’” He went on to suggest that Bezzecchi’s willingness to tow Martin may have “transformed” his weekend, especially given Martin’s recent struggles.

His fellow commentator Sylvain Guintoli, however, wasn’t convinced that the partnership came naturally. “Do you think that was set up, and Bezz sort of agreed to tow him around? I don’t know why, but I don’t picture them two as best mates,” he said. Regardless of whether it was planned or spontaneous, the outcome was clear: Aprilia ended the day with both riders safely into Q2.

A Rare Q2 for Martin in 2025

For Martin, qualifying directly into Q2 has been a rarity since joining Aprilia this season. Only once before—at the Czech Grand Prix in Brno—had he managed the feat. Since returning from injury in July, his qualifying record has been inconsistent at best, leaving him to start races from difficult positions.

His results in practice so far this year underline the challenge:

• Qatar GP: P20

• Czech GP: P5

• Austrian GP: P16

• Hungarian GP: P11

• Catalan GP: P18

• San Marino GP: P8

That inconsistency has forced Martin into Q1 on multiple occasions, often compromising his race weekends. The P8 at Misano therefore represents not just a small achievement, but a potential turning point.

Bezzecchi’s Role and Team Dynamics

The role of Bezzecchi cannot be understated. By providing the tow that helped Martin break into the top 10, he showcased the value of teamwork within MotoGP—even if it was unspoken or perhaps directed from within the garage. After setting his lap, Martin quickly gestured his gratitude to his teammate as the pair used the shortcut route at the end of the circuit.

“That was Martin going, ‘Thank you very much, I really appreciate that. That might have just transformed my weekend if I wasn’t going directly into qualifying two,’” Hodgson observed.

Whether the cooperation was natural or orchestrated, the fact remains that Bezzecchi’s presence made the difference. It also highlighted Aprilia’s collective ambition: to ensure both of their riders are competitive at Misano, a home race for the Italian manufacturer.

Martin’s Qualifying Struggles

One area Martin knows he must improve is qualifying performance. While his race pace has often been strong, poor starting positions have left him with too much ground to recover on Sundays.

At the Hungarian GP, Martin came through the pack to finish P4, despite starting outside the top 10. In Barcelona, he again salvaged a P10 finish after beginning in P18. But at the Austrian GP, his weekend ended with a crash, underlining the risks of starting deep in the field.

By contrast, when Martin qualified in P5 at Brno, he was able to fight at the front and demonstrate his true potential. The clear takeaway is that for Martin to consistently deliver strong race results, he must regularly secure better grid positions—and Misano may be the start of that shift.

The Importance of Misano for Aprilia

The San Marino Grand Prix holds special importance for Aprilia, not just as a race on Italian soil but also as a benchmark for the progress of the RS-GP. With Bezzecchi already showing podium-contending pace and Martin finally breaking into Q2 again, the factory can approach the weekend with optimism.

For Massimo Rivola and the Aprilia leadership, ensuring that both riders perform strongly is critical for proving that their strategy to invest in a competitive two-rider factory lineup is paying off. The team knows that consistency in qualifying is just as important as race pace if they are to challenge Ducati, KTM, and Honda at the front of the grid.

Looking Ahead: Can Martin Build Momentum?

The key question heading into qualifying and Sunday’s race is whether Martin can convert his Q2 place into a strong grid position. With Bezzecchi clearly capable of fighting for the front row, Martin will need to build on the momentum of Friday and avoid slipping back down the order.

He has shown that his race craft remains sharp, often climbing through the field when starting deep. But to fight for podiums and potentially victories, he must avoid the uphill battle of starting outside the top 10. Misano may represent his best chance yet to reset the narrative of his 2025 season.

Conclusion: A Vital Boost for Martin

At Misano, Jorge Martin proved that perseverance pays off. Despite lingering outside the top 10 for much of practice, he seized his opportunity by following Bezzecchi’s tow to secure P8 and a coveted place in Q2. For a rider who has struggled in qualifying since the summer break, this was more than just a step forward—it could be the moment that changes the trajectory of his season.

Thanks to Marco Bezzecchi’s assistance, Martin not only avoided another Q1 battle but also gave himself the chance to fight for a strong starting position at Aprilia’s home race. For the Spaniard, Misano is not just another Grand Prix—it might just be the weekend where his fortunes begin to turn around.