Marco Bezzecchi has begun his journey as a factory MotoGP rider with Aprilia Racing.
For his fourth season in the MotoGP World Championship, Marco Bezzecchi will ride for Aprilia Racing.
Previously the Italian had only ridden for the VR46 Racing Team on a satellite Ducati. The change to Aprilia will be Bezzecchi's first time on a factory MotoGP machine.
Bezzecchi had one day of testing on the Aprilia back in November. However, he is now officially an Aprilia Racing rider after he took part in the team's launch in Milan at Sky Italy's studio.
"It was amazing the warm welcome we received, it was fantastic how happy everyone was to see us," Bezzecchi explained at the Aprilia Racing team launch.
"They showed us everything in the factory and to be honest it was amazing to see all the guys working in their areas. It was fantastic to see the bikes, it was amazing, it was very emotional to become a part of this huge factory that is so historical in our sport."

'I am really proud to see my number on a factory bike.'
In recent years Italian riders have had large levels of success for Italian manufacturers, most notably his fellow VR46 Academy rider Francesco Bagnaia with Ducati. Bezzecchi will try to become the latest Italian to have success with an Italian manufacturer.
"I am really proud to see my number on a factory bike, for it to be an Aprilia is even more special," Bezzecchi stated.
"An Italian rider on an Italian bike is always fantastic so I am very proud. Hopefully, I will give my best and try to give good results to all the people who work for us, they really deserve it."
Bezzecchi ended his time at Aprilia's launch event by discussing his one-day test in Barcelona with the team. The 26-year-old explained how he was pleasantly surprised with the RS-GP performance on his first day with the bike.
"It was fantastic to see the faces of the people inside the box, they were so happy to see us," Bezzecchi said. ]
"I got an amazing feeling from the bike, so much stability from the front. To be honest, I was not expecting such a good feeling from the first time, but it was amazing.
"The work that we made was also fantastic, we found a good feeling with all the people immediately, so I was impressed. We will have to work hard, but we have a clear target so this is what we will do to achieve it."