Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola is pushing arduous to persuade two-time champion Francesco Bagnaia to affix the Noale manufacturing unit alongside Marco Bezzecchi subsequent season.
Ducati is predicted to announce Marc Marquez’s contract renewal for the 2027 and 2028 MotoGP seasons within the coming days, a transfer that will pave the best way for the affirmation of Pedro Acosta’s arrival for a similar interval.
Such a reshuffle would go away Marquez’s present team-mate, Bagnaia, with out a seat in Ducati’s manufacturing unit storage subsequent season.
With it more and more clear that his future lies away from Bologna, Bagnaia has begun exploring different choices. By his agent, Gianluca Falcioni, the two-time MotoGP champion has been holding discreet talks with potential suitors.
One of many first approaches got here from Aprilia. Initially, Bagnaia parked that risk, having spent a lot of his profession with Ducati and showing extra inclined to maneuver to a Japanese producer.
Honda has successfully been dominated out, with the Japanese big set to take a position closely in Fabio Quartararo whereas additionally concentrating on a younger rider for its second seat. That left Yamaha because the frontrunner in negotiations, and till not too long ago all indicators pointed in direction of the Iwata manufacturing unit pairing the 2 most up-to-date MotoGP champions previous to Marquez’s Ducati resurgence — Jorge Martin and Bagnaia — for 2027 and 2028.
Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Staff, Marc Marquez, Ducati Staff
Photograph by: MotoGP
In the course of the Sepang check, Bagnaia made it clear he wouldn’t take into account a satellite tv for pc journey.
“I consider I’m a frontrunner rider, so my ambitions should all the time lead me to remain on the forefront,” he mentioned. “There are lots of alternatives, and the nice work I’ve executed in recent times actually helps at this second.”
In doing so, he successfully dominated out a transfer to VR46, the staff owned by his long-time mentor Valentino Rossi.
Aprilia renews its push
Whereas Yamaha stays Bagnaia’s precedence, Motorsport.com understands that Aprilia has not too long ago returned with an improved proposal, backed by the persuasive efforts of Rivola.
Aprilia’s racing funds, underneath the Piaggio Group, is significantly smaller than Yamaha’s. Nonetheless, Jorge Martin’s departure to the manufacturing unit Yamaha squad on the finish of the season will liberate an estimated €4million in wage.
A part of that allocation has already gone in direction of Marco Bezzecchi’s new contract, however round €3m is believed to be out there as a place to begin in negotiations with Bagnaia.
For Aprilia, assembling what it sees as the 2 main Italian riders of the second – Bezzecchi and Bagnaia – would characterize a dream state of affairs. The truth that the pair are mates and members of the VR46 Rider Academy provides an emotional component to the pitch Rivola is making.
Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia and Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati
Photograph by: Asif Zubairi / Motorsport Community
Sporting arguments additionally help Aprilia’s case. At current, the RS-GP is extensively considered a extra aggressive package deal than Yamaha’s new M1 V4, strengthening Noale’s attraction.
One other issue that would weigh in negotiations is Yamaha’s obvious choice for Martin earlier than intensifying discussions with Bagnaia – a element that will not have gone unnoticed by the Italian.
“Renewing Marco was our foremost precedence,” Rivola mentioned in early February after confirming Bezzecchi’s extension. “As soon as that precedence was set, we’ll see how the market evolves.”
Requested in regards to the prospect of fielding two Italian riders, the previous Ferrari Method 1 government was intentionally cautious.
“I’m not saying sure or no. There are attention-grabbing eventualities,” Rivola mentioned. “However I consider that if Aprilia continues to reveal its progress and exhibits it will probably construct quick bikes, the highest riders will come.”
Time, nevertheless, could also be Aprilia’s greatest impediment. As soon as Marquez’s Ducati renewal is formally introduced, the rider market is predicted to maneuver shortly. Yamaha is pushing Bagnaia to finalise an settlement, whilst Aprilia makes an attempt to sway him — not solely with sporting arguments, but in addition with sentiment.
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