Now that Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi are signed to ride for the official team in 2025, Aprilia Racing is turning its attention to Raul Fernandez who particularly pleases boss Massimo Rivola.
Three weeks after the announcement of the transfer of Jorge Martin in the Aprilia factory team, Noale’s brand revealed that his teammate would be Marco Bezzecchi. The arrival of the Italian, promoted from the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team, had been anticipated for several days. The two men will team up in 2025 and 2026, replacing Aleix Espargaro et Maverick Viñales. A duo with which Aprilia hopes “reach the top of the MotoGP ranking”.
Two Aprilias are still available on next year’s starting grid: those of the Trackhouse Racing team, today made up of Miguel Oliveira et Raul Fernandez. The latter is the new priority of the boss of Aprilia Racing, Massimo Rivola, who praised the potential of the young Spaniard during the interview given after the officialization of Bezzecchi.
“We have data that can show the speed of Raul more than what you can see in his races or on his times. » Fernandez has never done better than fifth (Valencia 2023) in 44 Grands Prix in MotoGP including 26 with the RS-GP, “but we can see from his data that he is ready to potentially get a podium”.
The Madrilenian, who will celebrate his 24th birthday in October, seems to have scored more points with his employer thanOliveira. The 29-year-old Portuguese, winner of five races with KTM, has had some good results on the Aprilia, including three Grands Prix finishing in the top-5. But Aprilia hoped for better, probably podiums. In his defense, Oliveira had an unlucky 2023 campaign, marred by several injuries. He is 2 points behind his Spanish teammate before Assen.
No one, neither at Aprilia nor at Trackhouse, has said they want to part ways with the Portuguese. An extension of both pilots is possible. It will also depend on what happens with Joe Robertscurrently second in the Moto2 world championship, and who is believed to have a chance of entering MotoGP in 2025. Being Californian, it makes sense to put the American Trackhouse team among his potential destinations.
