"Marrying his bike once and for all!" Marco Bezzecchi signed a symbolic marriage contract with his RS-GP race bike in the paddock at Sepang, Malaysia. He has decided to continue his journey with Aprilia Racing in MotoGP through the 2028 season, promising to take his "bride" to the podium as often as possible.
On 3 Feb 2026, Marco Bezzecchi appeared in full racing gear, notably wearing a black necktie. With a shy smile, he walked directly to the "bride" waiting in the center of the paddock, dressed in white with a lace veil and holding a bouquet.
Bezzecchi knelt on one knee, carefully kissed the "bride," then took a pen to sign an important document in front of Massimo Rivola, who smiled as the ceremony's chairman. Applause and cheers erupted from the mechanics who came to support the groom.
This unique ceremony, resembling a wedding, featured a "bride" who was not a person but the RS-GP race bike Bezzecchi dearly loves and named "Albarosa." Essentially, this event was a "contract renewal announcement" between Marco Bezzecchi and Aprilia, expected to last through the 2028 season.
Why a wedding? Looking back to the end of the 2025 season, Bezzecchi made history by proposing to his race bike after a victory. When it came time to sign a new contract, Aprilia staged an extravagant event to affirm that the Italian rider would continue his racing life with his beloved bike.
Marco Bezzecchi expressed, "I am very happy to have extended my contract for another two years. From the first day I signed, I aimed to build a long-term project. I am grateful for the support from the entire team and the Noale factory. I hope to bring them a lot of joy, and they will bring joy to me in return."
Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing, said, "Of course, we are very pleased because this contract renewal is our top priority. We wanted to celebrate the signing in a particularly fun way, which fits Marco's personality perfectly. We've built a solid foundation, and Marco's decision to stay with us despite offers from other teams makes us very happy and highlights the team's spirit and dedication."
In 2025, his first season with Aprilia Racing, Bezzecchi became the most successful rider in the Italian team's MotoGP history. He won three main races (Silverstone, Portimão, and Valencia), three sprint races (Misano, Mandalika, and Phillip Island), achieved 15 podium finishes, and secured five pole positions (Austria, Misano, Mandalika, Portimão, and Valencia). These results earned him 3rd place in the season standings with 353 points.