Bezzecchi-Savadori partnership powered Aprilia’s best MotoGP season - Exclusive
Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola explains the “remarkable” approach and overlooked “super relationship” behind Marco Bezzecchi’s breakthrough MotoGP season.
One of the overlooked factors in Marco Bezzecchi’s breakthrough MotoGP season with Aprilia was perhaps the “super relationship” he built with test rider Lorenzo Savadori.
The spotlight, and responsibility for developing the RS-GP, fell squarely on Bezzecchi when team-mate and reigning world champion Jorge Martin suffered multiple injuries during pre-season testing.
Bezzecchi had never ridden a factory-spec bike during his previous MotoGP seasons at VR46 Ducati, let alone steered development of an entire project.
His inexperience in a factory role was compounded by a change of technical director at Aprilia, with Fabiano Sterlacchini drafted in to replace HRC-bound Romano Albesiano.
Nevertheless, Bezzecchi set about methodically improving the RS-GP in partnership with not only Sterlacchini but Martin’s replacement, Savadori.
“Super relationship with Sava”
“Marco got a lot of responsibility on his shoulders [after Martin’s injuries], but he created a super relationship with Sava,” Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola told Crash.net.
With Savadori racing instead of testing, Aprilia relied on close communication between its riders on race weekends.
“We had to cancel a lot of testing because Sava was busy racing. So we used Sava to try to develop the bike at races, following his own feelings, but also from what Marco was thinking about the bike.
“They spoke to each other a lot to understand what they needed. ‘Okay, let's calm down the bike. The bike needs to be more stable’. Things like that. Then, all together, we took a direction.”
That direction ultimately enabled Bezzecchi to deliver the best-yet MotoGP season for an Aprilia rider, featuring three grand prix wins, three Sprint victories and third in the world championship.
Rivola admitted he was surprised not so much by Bezzecchi’s speed, but by his leadership.
“I was expecting Marco to be very, very fast. But I didn't know his leadership aspect, also from the technical point of view. That impressed us from the first test.”
Bezzecchi knew he could "surprise the world”
Rivola described Bezzecchi’s approach as “quite analytical”, aiding Sterlacchini’s bike development program, but was also quick to credit the ‘human’ element.
“Marco spends time with the team. If it’s a flyaway, he travels to and from the hotel with us. Here [Valencia], he stays in the garage until we all have dinner together at 8pm.
“So we found someone that was believing in the project deeply. And I think this made the difference.”
Although success wasn’t instant, there had been signs of what was to come from pre-season testing.
“I would say that the Thailand test, for me, was where I thought, ‘this guy will fight for the podium very, very soon’,” said Rivola, referring to Bezzecchi’s impressive race simulation on the final day.
“I think also in his mind, he saw himself quite fast from the beginning and that he could surprise the world.”
“Something remarkable”
Crucially, Bezzecchi remained patient while the pieces fell into place.
“When you change bikes, you need a bit of time to adapt. But he was quite smart in not overriding the bike. And understanding what our bike needs to go fast,” said Rivola.
“So, he knew that we had to improve the bike, but also that he had to change his riding style to get the best out of the Aprilia. And this is something remarkable.”
Everything clicked spectacularly at Silverstone, where Bezzecchi capitalised on a technical failure for Fabio Quartararo to claim his first Aprilia victory - and podium - from just tenth on the grid.
Up until that point, the British MotoGP weekend had been dominated by the shock news that Martin was seeking an early exit from his Aprilia contract.
“Silverstone was the perfect timing, also, with, let's say, the shit surrounding the story with Jorge,” Rivola said.
“We were also lucky, because we don't have to forget that Fabio was leading.
“But after that victory, I think the season changed. Marco realised that he could do it and we realised that we could do it.
“Maybe getting the first podium with a victory was a bit too much to expect. But it's fine!”
Martin later backed down from an Aprilia exit, meaning the Spaniard will remain alongside Bezzecchi for 2026.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.