"SIMPLY TOO FAST" - APRILIA VERDICT ON MARCO BEZZECCHI'S ASSEN MOTOGP CRASH

Aprilia believes Marco Bezzecchi's frightening Assen MotoGP crash was simply the result of carrying too much speed through Turn 15.

Marco Bezzecchi, 2026 Assen MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose

“Simply too fast".

That was Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola's verdict when asked about the cause of Marco Bezzecchi's frightening Assen MotoGP crash.

Bezzecchi lost control through the ultra-fast Turn 15 left-hander on lap two of the grand prix while holding fourth.

The Italian cartwheeled through the gravel but was fortunately seen sitting upright and talking to marshals afterwards.

Marco Bezzecchi, 2026 Assen MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose

The accident went on to cost Bezzecchi the world championship lead to team-mate Jorge Martin, who completed an Aprilia podium sweep behind Trackhouse riders Ai Ogura and Raul Fernandez.

“I honestly think the Aprilia was not strong just in Turn 15, in all the very fast parts of the circuit, the Aprilia normally shows something special,” Rivola added.

Rivola said: “We are just waiting for the very latest news. Luckily, it doesn't seem like anything to worry about."

Aprilia duly confirmed that CT scans and radiological examinations found no injuries, and that Bezzecchi will travel back home tonight.

Massimo Rivola, Aprilia.

© Gold and Goose

Sunday marked Bezzecchi's fourth non-score in the last six races.

Before Assen, he was taken out by Martin in Hungary, then crashed in the Brno Sprint before being suspended from the grand prix.

Bezzecchi, who has led the world championship since COTA, now trails Martin by nine points.

- Peter McLaren

'IT LOOKS STUPID' - APRILIA BOSS CRITICAL OF JORGE MARTIN AFTER TURN ONE MOTOGP PILE-UP

Massimo Rivola has put the blame on Jorge Martin for the turn one crash at the Hungary MotoGP.

Jorge Martin after turn one crash, 2026 MotoGP Hungarian Grand Prix. Credit: Gold and Goose.
© Gold & Goose

The Hungary MotoGP race was blown apart for Aprilia at the first corner thanks to a mistake by one of its own riders, Massimo Rivola says.

Marco Bezzecchi had seemingly done what he did in the Sprint, moving up from sixth on the grid to third at the first corner. But then Jorge Martin lost control in braking and Bezzecchi – as well as Fermin Aldeguer, Fabio Di Giannantonio, and Raul Fernandez – were taken down with the 2024 MotoGP champion.

Ordinarily a team manager would find a justification for the crash that does not involve blaming their own riders. Aprilia Racing CEO, though, was clear that the crash was Martin’s mistake.

Martin falls at Turn 1, 2026 Hungarian MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose

“My first thought is always for the riders, I'm sorry,” Rivola told Sky Sport Italy after the race in Hungary.

"Martin's mistake should never happen, especially when safety is at stake and you're so aggressively approaching the first turn. 

“It was a strange mistake, not one of enthusiasm. He made a bad braking mistake, but he didn't brake too late. 

“He applied more power with the bike leaning slightly, in a part of the track where there's less grip. But it's a mistake a world champion shouldn't make.”

Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing, 2026 Hungary MotoGP

© Gold and Goose

The crash brought about memories of Martin’s crash at turn one at Motegi last year, where he also took out Bezzecchi. But Rivola says the two incidents are different.

“I think the [outcome] is similar but the mistake is quite different,” he said.

“Last year he overbraked and it was another reaction. This time it was, I don't want to say a small mistake, but he didn't behave with the front brake as he should have done in that part of the track at corner one. 

“That is quite different from Japan. A smaller mistake but the same [outcome]. For us, even worse.”

Jorge Martin, Marco Bezzecchi, Turn 1 crash, 2026 Hungarian MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose

Rivola also feels that the design of the first corner is perhaps not the thing to blame for the crash, given that the first corner at Barcelona was also blamed for a turn one incident only a few races ago.

Instead, Rivola thinks the way to avoid crashes like this is for the riders to approach the first corner more cautiously.

“If we go to Barcelona, we say that it's too dangerous at the first corner,” said Rivola.

“When you are on Sunday, you know very well the track layout, the grip condition. I think that at the first corner, everybody should take it a bit more easy. 

“Then, the fact that we are also unlucky that when we crash, we have another Aprilia or even two in the middle, it looks also stupid. 

“But the point is that when you know that the conditions are bad, you take it more easy.”

- Alex Whitworth

MARCO BEZZECCHI ESCAPES SERIOUS INJURY IN MARC MARQUEZ MOTOGP CRASH

Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Factory Racing, 2025 Indonesian MotoGP
© Gold and Goose

Aprilia’s Massimo Rivola says Marco Bezzecchi has escaped serious injury following his MotoGP Indonesian Grand Prix crash with Marc Marquez on Sunday.

The Italian qualified on pole but once again dropped down the order at the start, forcing him into a repeat of his sprint recovery from Saturday at Mandalika.

But the race ended for Marco Bezzecchi at Turn 7 when he made an ambitious move to overtake world champion Marc Marquez and ran into the back of his Ducati.

The violent crash resulted in a collarbone fracture for Marquez, who will return to Spain to evaluate the next stages of his recovery.

Bezzecchi was taken to a local hospital for checks, but was diagnosed with no serious injuries.

The stewards have deferred a decision on the incident until they are able to speak with Bezzecchi.

“Strange is maybe not really the right wording, but showing a great speed of all the Aprilias,” Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola said.

"Pitty to have only two riders, Marco I think was clearly the fastest rider during this weekend, so obviously the expectation was very high. Shit happens. This is racing at the end.

“Marco is ok. We just got the news from Dr Charte that he was brought to the hospital for a scan and there’s no broken bones.

“He has a lot of pain, maybe the pain is also some of the two crashes: the one of Motegi and this one.

“First of all, we need to apologise to Marc. What happened, ok it’s racing, but it’s also very bad when we see crashes and you are part of putting someone out of a race.

“So, apologies to him and his team.”

Bezzecchi apologised to Marquez after the crash, with the latter later saying that he accepted it and understood it as a race incident.

Rivola added: “I saw Davide Tardozzi and apologised to him, and he said also Marco apologised to Marc twice.

“But that’s it. It’s really something that we would like to avoid seeing, but in this kind of competition we know how tight MotoGP is, how the performance is so close, and they are all warriors trying to get the best out of the bike.

“Maybe not thinking too much about strategy, because clearly he had the pace to recovery. He did it yesterday in half the number of laps.”

- Lewis Duncan

JORGE MARTIN'S SHOCKING DEPARTURE: APRILIA RACING SPLIT REVEALED IN EMOTIONAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Jorge Martin SPA Aprilia Racing Aprilia MotoGP GP Qatar 2025 (circuit Lusai) 11-13/04/2025 

photo: MICHELIN

Jorge Martin Shocks Racing World with Abrupt Departure from Aprilia!

In a stunning turn of events, Jorge Martin, the 2024 MotoGP World Champion, has announced his departure from Aprilia Racing at the conclusion of the 2025 MotoGP World Championship. This bombshell revelation comes after a tumultuous period marked by a series of injuries for the talented rider, including fractures to his ribs, ankles, and wrists during his time with the Italian manufacturer.

Martin’s decision to part ways with Aprilia stems from what he describes as unmet “certain circumstances” outlined in his contract. In a candid statement shared on social media, Martin clarified his position, emphasizing that he had not violated any terms of the agreement but rather opted to exercise his contractual right to determine his future beyond the 2025 season.

The departure announcement sent shockwaves through the racing community, with Martin expressing his gratitude to fans, media, and supporters while articulating his desire to seize control of his professional destiny. Despite the challenges faced due to injuries and unforeseen circumstances, Martin maintained a respectful and transparent approach in his communications with Aprilia, underscoring his commitment to upholding the integrity of their initial agreement.

As the racing world reels from this unexpected development, Martin’s decision to part ways with Aprilia underscores the complexities and uncertainties that can define the high-stakes world of MotoGP. With the 2025 season now poised to be Martin’s swan song with the team, the countdown begins to see where the esteemed rider’s future in the fiercely competitive world of motorcycle racing will lead.

The shocking announcement from Jorge Martin serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of professional sports and the unwavering determination of athletes to navigate challenges while striving for excellence both on and off the track.

- DOUGLAS THEO