Marco Bezzecchi's dominant home victory at the Italian Grand Prix may have reinforced his status as a genuine MotoGP title contender, but Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola believes the championship battle is only just beginning.
Bezzecchi delivered one of his strongest performances of the season at Mugello, bouncing back after a pair of races in which teammate Jorge Martin had either matched or outperformed him. In front of thousands of Italian fans, the Aprilia rider controlled the race to secure a crucial victory and extend his championship advantage to 17 points.
The result provided an important boost heading into a demanding phase of the season and further highlighted Bezzecchi's ability to perform under pressure.
Rivola was particularly impressed with how his rider handled the expectations that came with racing at home.
"Every time Bez is under big pressure, and he was under big pressure at Mugello, he delivered a performance," said Rivola.
While praising Bezzecchi's mental strength, Rivola cautioned that the pressure of winning races differs greatly from the pressure of fighting for a world championship.
The Aprilia chief believes the Italian still needs to build further confidence as the title battle enters its decisive stages later in the season.
According to Rivola, the greatest test will come when every point carries championship implications and the spotlight intensifies around the title race.
That challenge is made even tougher by the presence of Martin, who remains firmly in contention despite a difficult weekend in Barcelona earlier this season.
Source: Bikewale
The reigning world champion responded to that setback with a strong recovery at Mugello, securing podium finishes in both the sprint race and Sunday's Grand Prix.
Rivola believes Martin's experience gives him an important advantage in the battle for the crown.
"He has the big advantage that he already won a championship and he already lost a championship," Rivola explained.
Having experienced both success and disappointment at the highest level, Martin understands the demands of a title campaign and how to manage pressure across an entire season.
For now, Aprilia is benefiting from having two riders performing at the front of the field. The strong relationship between Bezzecchi and Martin has helped the team establish itself as MotoGP's benchmark in 2026.
"I think that we now have two happy riders," Rivola said.
However, he acknowledged that the current harmony may become increasingly difficult to maintain as the championship fight develops.
With both riders capable of winning races and challenging for the title, a direct battle between the Aprilia teammates appears inevitable.
"Sooner or later, one of the two won't be happy, but we will try to manage," Rivola admitted.
As the season progresses, Aprilia's biggest challenge may not come from rival manufacturers but from managing two riders chasing the same goal. With Bezzecchi leading and Martin applying relentless pressure, the battle for the MotoGP championship is shaping up to be one of the defining stories of the year.
