Tension Brewing? Aprilia Boss Hints at Martin–Bezzecchi ‘Problem’ in the Garage

The 2025 MotoGP season has been a transformative year for Aprilia, marked by the arrival of Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi in an all-new rider line-up. With Martin joining as the reigning world champion and Bezzecchi stepping in after leaving VR46, expectations were sky-high. However, circumstances have shaped a very different reality inside the Noale garage, as Martin’s injuries delayed his adaptation to the RS-GP25, leaving Bezzecchi to carry the team’s banner at the sharp end of the championship. Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola has now admitted that while harmony exists for the moment, inevitable tension between his two stars could soon emerge.

A Tale of Two Seasons: Martin’s Misfortune and Bezzecchi’s Breakthrough

When Aprilia secured the services of Jorge Martin, fresh off his MotoGP title with Pramac, many expected the Spaniard to become the figurehead of the RS-GP25 project. Instead, injuries immediately derailed his campaign. A fractured left hand sidelined him for the opening three rounds, and disaster struck again in Qatar, where Martin suffered 11 broken ribs and a hemopneumothorax. That brutal crash forced him to miss another seven races, effectively eliminating him from championship contention and leaving him desperately playing catch-up.

Meanwhile, Marco Bezzecchi seized the moment. Free from the burden of injuries and adapting quickly to Aprilia machinery, the Italian has blossomed into a consistent frontrunner. His results have been a revelation, including a victory at the British GP in Silverstone, a sprint win at Misano from pole, and a string of podiums in the Netherlands, Czechia, Austria, Hungary, and again at Misano. Bezzecchi now finds himself battling Francesco Bagnaia for third in the riders’ standings, trailing the Ducati rider by just eight points.

The contrast between Martin’s stop-start season and Bezzecchi’s meteoric rise has created a fascinating dynamic. Aprilia’s gamble on bringing in two ambitious, hungry riders is paying dividends on one hand, but also planting the seeds of future internal conflict.

Mutual Respect, Mutual Favors: The Current Atmosphere

Despite their vastly different fortunes, Martin and Bezzecchi have shown remarkable camaraderie so far. At the San Marino GP, this spirit of teamwork was on full display. Facing the prospect of having to battle through Q1, Martin received a crucial tow from Bezzecchi during practice, which catapulted him into the automatic Q2 spots. The Spaniard went on to qualify 11th. Later, Martin repaid the favor by providing Bezzecchi with a tow in Q2, helping the Italian secure pole position. Bezzecchi converted that into a sprint race victory and a near-miss at the main race, where he finished just 0.568s behind Marc Marquez.

These gestures illustrate a partnership built on mutual respect rather than rivalry. Rivola himself praised the atmosphere, highlighting how refreshing it is to see two elite riders working together in such a competitive environment. Yet, his words carried a warning: such harmony rarely lasts when both riders start competing for wins and podiums simultaneously.

Rivola’s Prediction: A ‘Problem’ Aprilia Wants to Have

Speaking after Misano, Massimo Rivola candidly assessed the situation. “I’m proud of Jorge and Marco because there’s a great atmosphere in the garage, which I hope will remain the same even when they’re both at the top,” he said. “If that were the case, managing them would be a problem we’d be happy to have to face, because two such strong riders shouldn’t be friends. But it’s nice to see the mutual respect.”

This statement reflects the delicate balance Aprilia faces. On one hand, having two potential race winners is the dream of any team principal. On the other, internal competition has historically sparked fireworks in MotoGP — from Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo at Yamaha to Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa at Repsol Honda. Aprilia is not immune to such risks, especially when both Martin and Bezzecchi are riders with ambitions of becoming world champions again.

Bezzecchi’s Rise: From Outsider to Team Leader

For Bezzecchi, 2025 has been a defining season. His performances suggest he has matured into more than just a promising talent; he is now a genuine contender at the front of MotoGP. His ability to adapt to the RS-GP25 has been remarkable, allowing him to exploit its strengths in qualifying and race trim alike. His pole position at Misano and subsequent sprint victory were further proof of his confidence and synergy with the Aprilia package.

Crucially, Bezzecchi has established himself as the team’s point scorer in Martin’s absence. He has consistently delivered podiums, helping Aprilia stay competitive in the constructors’ and teams’ standings. This has naturally positioned him as the de facto team leader, a role many assumed would belong to Martin. While Bezzecchi may not yet carry Martin’s world champion aura, his results speak for themselves.

Martin’s Challenge: Catching Up and Proving Himself Again

Jorge Martin’s Aprilia career has so far been defined by frustration. His injuries robbed him of track time, and as a result, he still hasn’t unlocked the full potential of the RS-GP25. His best result to date is a fourth place at the Czech GP, but qualifying has been a recurring weakness. For instance, at the Catalan GP, Martin only managed to secure 18th on the grid, which limited his ability to fight for higher positions on Sunday.

Martin has openly admitted that improving qualifying is critical to closing the gap to Bezzecchi and the leading pack. The Spaniard’s race pace is competitive when he starts closer to the front, but consistently poor Saturdays have left him stuck in traffic. If he can resolve this weakness and stay injury-free, Rivola’s prediction of inevitable tension may well come true, as Martin will once again find himself in direct competition with his Italian teammate.

Looking Ahead: A Potential Intra-Team Rivalry

The rest of the 2025 season and beyond promises to be intriguing for Aprilia. Bezzecchi has momentum, confidence, and results on his side, while Martin is motivated to reassert his status as the reigning world champion. Their contrasting journeys are converging towards a point where they will inevitably fight for the same prizes. When that happens, Aprilia will face the challenge of balancing cooperation with competition inside the garage.

For now, Rivola and the team are relishing the positive energy, knowing that both riders respect each other and are pushing the RS-GP25 forward. But as the season develops, and especially heading into 2026, managing egos and expectations will become a critical task. If Aprilia handles it well, they could enjoy their most successful period in MotoGP history. If not, the harmony could fracture, echoing some of the legendary rivalries of the sport.

Conclusion: Calm Before the Storm?

At present, Aprilia is enjoying the best of both worlds: Marco Bezzecchi shining as a star performer and Jorge Martin steadily regaining form after a nightmare start. But the words of Massimo Rivola ring with foresight. The moment Martin is fully fit and competitive, Aprilia may find themselves with the “problem” every team secretly wants — two riders capable of winning races and challenging for titles, but not necessarily capable of remaining friends in the process.

As the season heads into its decisive phase, all eyes will be on whether Martin can close the gap to Bezzecchi and transform the Aprilia garage from a place of mutual respect into the next battleground of MotoGP’s fiercest rivalries.