In a surprising turn of events, Marco Bezzecchi appears poised to leave the VR46 Ducati fold for a factory ride with Aprilia in the upcoming MotoGP season. This move comes despite Bezzecchi having the option to move to a factory-spec Ducati with Pramac Racing in 2024, which he opted against to stay with VR46 on a year-old Desmosedici.
Motorsport.com reports that the deal placing Bezzecchi alongside Jorge Martin in Aprilia is expected to be finalized in the coming days. This move has significant implications for both Ducati and VR46.
Ducati attempted to retain Bezzecchi by potentially offering him a factory-backed ride at Pramac. However, with Bezzecchi seemingly favoring the Aprilia, Pramac is now expected to switch to Yamaha as their motorcycle supplier.
The decision to leave Ducati for Aprilia is particularly interesting considering the on-paper advantage of the Ducati machine. Bezzecchi's struggles on the 2023 VR46 Ducati, currently sitting 11th in the standings, might suggest a factor beyond pure motorcycle performance influencing his choice.
One potential factor is the upcoming arrival of Marc Marquez at the factory Ducati team in 2025, partnering with Francesco Bagnaia. This move has reportedly caused friction within VR46, with concerns that Marquez's presence could disrupt the successful partnership between VR46 and Ducati.
While Ducati and VR46 are expected to renew their alliance with factory bikes for Pramac if they accept Yamaha's offer, the addition of Marquez might have created an atmosphere of mistrust within VR46. This, coupled with Bezzecchi's potential discomfort, could explain his decision to pursue a future with Aprilia.
For Aprilia, Bezzecchi represents an ideal fit. The Italian manufacturer gets a talented rider of the same nationality, potentially boosting their image and development efforts.
The upcoming season promises a shakeup in the MotoGP paddock. Bezzecchi's move to Aprilia, along with Pramac's potential switch to Yamaha, injects an element of uncertainty and sets the stage for an exciting year of competition.
