Marco Bezzecchi's unwavering faith in Aprilia pays off as the team secures its first victory of the 2025 MotoGP season at the Portuguese Grand Prix. Despite early struggles, Bezzecchi's belief in the project and his confidence in the bike have been rewarded, with Aprilia emerging as Ducati's most consistent challenger.
Bezzecchi's win at Portimao was a testament to his patience and the team's hard work. He had been consistently fast but had not crossed the finish line first in the previous three rounds due to crashes and penalties. However, his lights-to-flag victory from pole position showcased the team's improvement and his own resilience.
Speaking after the win, Bezzecchi credited the engineers and the entire factory in Noale for their efforts. He emphasized the daily improvements and the 24/7 dedication of the team, highlighting the collaboration with Fabiano Sterlacchini and test rider Lorenzo Savadori. Bezzecchi's understanding of the bike deepened with each ride, leading to the development of a better-performing machine.
Despite ongoing challenges, Bezzecchi remains optimistic. He acknowledges that they still have room for improvement, especially at certain tracks and on Fridays. However, he is confident in their progress and hopes to maintain their current momentum. With a 35-point lead over fourth-placed Francesco Bagnaia, Bezzecchi is well-positioned to secure third place in the championship, provided he continues his strong performance at the Valencia finale.