Interview With Massimo Rivola: Marc Marquez Is the Target, the One We Want To Beat

Aprilia finished second in the Constructors’ Championship in 2025, with Marco Bezzecchi ending the season third in the Riders’. After such a strong season, what's the mood like heading into 2026?

Motivation is extremely high. Everyone in Noale is pushing very hard to deliver the best possible RS-GP for 2026. We’re pleased with the work done over the winter, and the testing in Valencia showed promising signs. There’s still a lot to do, but the direction is positive.

2025 was our best season so far, but we’re not satisfied. Our target is to be better in 2026 and to raise the bar again for 2027. That’s our approach – constant progress towards the top.

Did you expect this level of success before the 2025 season began?

Honestly, yes! In fact, I was expecting even more. We were carrying the number 1 on our fairing, so expectations were naturally high. What happened to Jorge Martin during the season is something you wouldn’t wish on anyone. It was incredibly difficult for him, both physically and mentally, and I can’t imagine what he went through in terms of confidence and recovery.

We were unlucky, but we didn’t give up. Thanks to the work done with Marco Bezzecchi, we still managed to have a strong season. That said, we need to be fair - we won races at the end of the season when Marc Marquez wasn’t there. So clearly, he's the target - the one rider that we still want to beat.

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On a personal level, was 2025 one of your most challenging seasons as team CEO?

It was definitely an emotional season, with real highs and lows. Starting the year with two riders who didn’t fully know the bike was already a challenge. Bezzecchi’s approach, however, was excellent. He took his time, gave clear feedback, and explained exactly what he needed.

The engineers and mechanics, both at the track and in Noale, did a fantastic job developing the bike around those requests. We are happy, of course, but as Enzo Ferrari famously said, second place is the first of the losers. And we have no intention of being losers.

With Jorge Martin out of action for most of the season, Bezzecchi effectively became the team leader. Did he exceed expectations in that role?

Bezzecchi is a very smart and humble rider. He immediately recognised the opportunity he had. He didn’t need coaching to take on the responsibility; he simply needed the right support from us to grow together. Bezzecchi understands that working as a team drives performance. He already had the speed and constructive mindset to help build the best possible bike. And that’s exactly what put us on a competitive path.

Lorenzo Savadori, filling in for Martin, raced far more than expected in 2025. How did that impact his role as a test rider?

On the one hand, we had to cancel several planned tests. On the other hand, we used race weekends as test sessions. We introduced new parts, concepts, and strategies during races, and Sava played a crucial role in that process.

He has the mentality of a test rider — working for the bike’s evolution rather than personal results. This is very important because when you’re constantly swapping components or electronics, you never ride the same bike twice. While it makes performance difficult, it’s invaluable for the development of the bike. Whenever we found something that worked with Sava, it went straight onto Bezzecchi’s bike. This process was one of the reasons for our success.

Looking ahead to 2026, how are you preparing Martin after such a disrupted season?

The biggest challenge for Martin will be accepting that he needs time. Initially, feeling comfortable on the bike will be more important than lap times. He doesn’t need to prove to anyone that he is a fast rider – we already know that, and that’s why we signed him. He’s a world champion. The focus must be on understanding the bike and telling us exactly what he needs.

Honestly, I won’t be surprised to see him struggle initially. He missed a full year, while Bezzecchi spent that year growing. Bezzecchi will start 2026 at his peak, while Martin will start further back. He knows patience will be key.

With Martin being a former world champion and Bezzecchi delivering race wins in 2025, how would you manage rider dynamics next season?

I’m not worried. We can develop the bike to suit both riding styles. Both Martin and Bezzecchi respect each other, and if they find themselves fighting for strong positions, I expect clean racing without unnecessary risks.

What happened in Japan at the start of the race is something we don’t want to see again. But sometimes, when you’re not in the right moment and are unlucky, things can go wrong. Obviously, what happened was Jorge’s mistake, but those are also the experiences that can help a rider refine their approach for the future.

How important has the satellite team been to Aprilia’s progress?

We wanted to have a satellite team because it was strategically important – not just for the statistics but also for the development of the bike. Raul Fernández finally took his first victory, which was also the 300th in the championship. He’s had the most experience with Aprilia, and now that he has found the right ‘feeling’, I expect him to start the season strongly. With four bikes on the grid, the pace of our development naturally quickens. Fernandez clearly has the talent to fight consistently for the top six.

What are your thoughts on the upcoming regulation changes?

I’m very pleased with the decision to remove ride-height devices – it’s the right move for the sport. While aerodynamics will still matter, it will have reduced influence now. I believe Aprilia will be strong in that regard. The smaller engine capacity will reduce outright speed, but the bikes will still be incredibly fast. We’re satisfied with our work on the 850cc engine and are running the 2027 programme alongside 2026. For now, the priority is to start 2026 very strongly, and then gradually shift focus.

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In one word, describe your 2025 season, and what would be your word for 2026?

2025 was emotional. 2026 must be successful.