If anyone still had any doubts, the last race of the year with the return of the MotoGP to Valencia after the damage made it clear that Aprilia is ready to fight for the title next year. Especially from the hand of Marco Bezzecchi. The Italian rider, imperial for the second Sunday in a row, won the GP of the Valencian Community ahead of his brand mate Raúl Fernández (Trackhouse) and Fabio DiGiannantonio (VR46), who saved the furniture for a Ducati in decline without the super champion Marc Márquez on the track.
“I had a lot of fun. I couldn’t imagine a better way to end this season, without a doubt it’s time to celebrate, because we deserve it,” declared the winner of the day, who knelt in front of his RS-GP showing him an engagement ring. The marriage between ‘Bez’ and his new brand is now fully consolidated, and his mount already represents a dangerous alternative to the Desmosedici GP, which has defeated the competition of manufacturers for the last six seasons: “We hope to be at the top, even if every year is a story in the world of sport. For me Marc and Álex will start as favourites, but we will continue to work hard to try to overtake them.”
Aprilia has not won a double since 2023, and it is the first time it has won two in a row in MotoGP. For the Noale company this 2025 ends on a high note and the last party highlights the most successful season in the premier category for the Italians: four victories, 11 podiums, third place in the drivers’ championship and second place among the officials. And all this despite not being able to count on the invaluable talent of Madrid’s Jorge Martín, his stellar signing and 2024 world champion.
The Spaniard, fresh from his fourth injury on the dark track of the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, retired halfway through the race with the premeditated decision not to risk his delicate body any more than necessary. All their efforts will now be focused on 100% recovery for next year, which looks golden for the brand. Present on the track to celebrate the historic season with his family at the champions’ gala, Marc Márquez has no doubts about the potential of the driver who challenged him the most face-to-face throughout the season. “Bezzecchi and Aprilia will fight for the title,” said the nine-time world champion.
At dusk in Valencia, the Márquez brothers took the photo that will be framed in their living room, immaculate in their gala clothes and posing with the champion and vice-champion trophies, something never seen among the motorcycling elite. “I can no longer call him just a brother, as he is second and will be one of the main rivals next year,” warned 93. Even if the last party on the track was for “Bez” and the Aprilias, they were the ones smiling before the eyes of family and friends.
Cheste’s day, which celebrated the return of motorcycles with fireworks, fireworks and a DJ with 93,000 fans in the stands, was also the work of the Fernández brothers. Raúl, who until this year had never won a MotoGP race and made his debut a few weeks ago in Australia, celebrated the second podium of his career and concluded the family celebrations on the day that Adrián, his younger brother, achieved his first World Cup victory in Moto3. “With this bike I think we can fight for more victories next year, Aprilia has clearly taken a step forward,” slipped the Madrid native.
In a race without much history, with ‘Bez’ leading from start to finish and setting the fastest lap after starting from pole, Álex Márquez had to regret the traction problems with the front tire that condemned his bid for victory. The runner-up dropped from second to sixth once the drivers passed the first third of the race. A drop in performance also for Pedro Acosta, who with the KTM managed to gain podium positions in the middle section of the race, but ended up giving up before the strength of DiGiannantonio and his Ducati.
Three-time champion Pecco Bagnaia, another who has experienced a nightmare this year, crashed after being hit by Johann Zarco’s Honda on the first lap. The teammate of the world champion, fifth in the standings, ended the worst season in living memory dejectedly, in a particularly tough comparison when it is assumed that he still has the best bike on the grid. “I never gave up” said the Turin rider, wanting to forget this 2025 where only the Aprilias, with consistency, have shown themselves capable of getting to know the leaders of a world championship which, on a technical level, has a strong Italian and European accent.
