"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

APRILIA LAND FRANCESCO BAGNAIA IN MAJOR MOTOGP RIDER MARKET COUP

Two-time MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia is officially joining Aprilia next year after much speculation about the Italian's future.

After yesterday's triple-announcement from Ducati, in which Marc Marquez's contract was renewed and Pedro Acosta was confirmed to join the team next year while Bagnaia departs, many believed that it wouldn't be long until the Aprilia deal was confirmed.

As reported by GP Blog several months ago, the rumours linking Bagnaia to Aprilia have been around for some time now. It is no secret that 'Pecco' Bagnaia has struggled to adapt since the arrival of Marc Marquez in the team, winning just two races in as many years since the Spaniard joined.

Like many of the suspected deals in the MotoGP rider market, Bagnaia's inevitable exit from Ducati was delayed due to the finalization of a 'concorde agreement' between MotoGP Group and the respective manufacturers. Fortunately, the deal was signed at last weekend's Czech Grand Prix, leading to a cascade of announcements this week and likely even more in the immediate future.

An all-Italian line-up

Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola has made it clear that he views Aprilia as a 'national team' for Italy, in contrast to Ducati's recent decision to favour Spanish riders. Having already secured current championship leader Marco Bezzecchi on a multi-year deal, Aprilia is now signing an even more experienced and proven Italian star.

With a massive regulation overhaul set to be introduced next year, there is no telling whether Aprilia will still be one of the frontrunners. However, with Bagnaia and Bezzecchi at the helm, it is clear that Aprilia have already secured one of the most promising rider lineups for 2027.

This means that Jorge Martin is going to make way, with rumours linking him heavily to Yamaha next year. It is no secret that the Spaniard and 2024 World Champion has not has the best of times with the Italian manufacturer, and even almost came to blows with his own boss in Catalonia.

Elswhere, there are several other major announcements expected later in the week. Fabio Quartararo is likely to leave Yamaha for Honda next year, with Ogura joining Martin in blue. VR46 have yet to confirm the arrival of Nicolo Bulega, but that is also expected soon. Meanwhile the fates of Joan Mir, Luca Marini, Brad Binder, Jack Miller, Franco Morbidelli, Alex Rins, Maverick Vinales and Raul Fernandez remain uncertain.

- Andrew McLarney

FIM STEWARDS REJECT APRILIA APPEAL FOR.MARCO BEZZECCHI BRNO MOTOGP BAN

The FIM Appeal Stewards have dismissed an appeal from Aprilia in relation to the suspension of Marco Bezzecchi from the Czech MotoGP.

Marco Bezzecchi, 2026 MotoGP Czech Grand Prix, pit box. Credit: Gold and Goose.
© Gold & Goose

An appeal lodged by Aprilia against the suspension of Marco Bezzecchi from the Brno MotoGP has been rejected by the FIM MotoGP Stewards panel.

The decision to suspend Marco Bezzecchi was announced by the FIM MotoGP Stewards panel as a result of an investigation into an incident which occurred after Bezzecchi crashed out of the Sprint at Brno, as the Italian pushed and struck a marshal who was trying to recover his bike.

An appeal was lodged by Aprilia shortly after the suspension was announced at 19:52 local time in Brno. The appeal hearings were held between 20:05 and 20:37 and involved Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola, Aprilia Racing team manager Paolo Bonora, and Simon Crafar, Tamara Matko, and Andres Somolinos from the MotoGP Stewards panel.

Marco Bezzecchi, 2026 Brno MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose

A statement released from stewards confirmed the rejection of the appeal and the upholding of the suspension of Bezzecchi from the Czech Grand Prix.

The reasoning given by the FIM MotoGP Stewards for the rejection of the appeal is as follows.

“The FIM Appeal Stewards have carefully considered the submissions made on behalf of the rider and the evidence presented, including video footage, official reports and the circumstances surrounding the incident,” a statement from the stewards reads.

“Whilst the Appeal Stewards recognise that riders involved in accidents may experience frustration, disappointment and heightened emotion immediately following an accident, such circumstances cannot excuse or justify physical aggression directed towards circuit personnel performing their official duties.

“Circuit marshals and other safety officials are fundamental to the safe conduct of motorcycle sport. They operate in hazardous environments, often placing themselves in close proximity to moving motorcycles and other dangers in order to protect competitors and facilitate the safe continuation of the event. The sport relies on these officials carrying out their responsibilities without fear of intimidation, abuse, or physical assault.

Marco Bezzecchi, 2026 Brno MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose

“The principles of sporting conduct require all participants to treat officials, marshals, and volunteers with respect at all times. Any physical contact of an aggressive nature towards a circuit safety official represents a serious departure from those standards and undermines the mutual trust and respect upon which the safe operation of the Championship depends.

“The Appeal Stewards consider it particularly significant that the individuals involved were marshals actively engaged in the recovery of the rider's machine following an accident. Such personnel were acting solely in the interests of rider safety, event safety, and the orderly conduct of the competition.

Marco Bezzecchi, 2026 Brno MotoGP.
© Gold and Goose

“Physical aggression towards marshals is wholly unacceptable in professional motorsport and cannot be tolerated regardless of the circumstances leading to the incident. Failure to respond appropriately to such conduct would risk sending the wrong message to competitors throughout the Championship and would be inconsistent with the governing body's obligation to protect officials, volunteers, and workers who contribute to the sport.

“Having regard to the seriousness of the conduct, the status of the persons involved as circuit safety officials, the need to uphold proper standards of behavior, and the need for both specific and general deterrence, the Appeal Stewards are satisfied that the Stewards Panel was entitled to conclude that the rider's actions constituted an action prejudicial to the interests of the sport.

“The Appeal Stewards further conclude that the sanction imposed is proportionate to the seriousness of the infringement and falls within the reasonable range of penalties available to the Stewards Panel. Accordingly, the appeal is rejected and the original decision is upheld in its entirety.”

- Alex Whitworth

'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