After a strong end to 2025 and a bronze medal in the riders’ standings, Marco Bezzecchi enters 2026 as a potential MotoGP title contender.

When the reigning champion is Marc Marquez and he happens to be riding for the team that has won the title for the past four seasons in succession, it is sure that it will not be easy for Bezzecchi to be crowned MotoGP World Champion this year, or even for him to make it a real fight.

However, winning the final two races of 2025 makes Bezzecchi one of the riders most likely to challenge Marquez in 2026. This view of his chances is something the Italian is clearly proud about.

“At the end, it’s an honour to be in this kind of position,” Bezzecchi told MotoGP.com at the Aprilia Racing team launch in Milan.

“In our sport, everything can change super-quickly. 

“At the end, I have a very good feeling with my team, with my bike, and with the whole factory in Noale, with the whole group of engineers – they are super-nice and fantastic with me. 

“So, the maximum that I can do is try to give my best and every time I jump on the bike try to give the best feedback and be [as precise] as I can. 

“Hopefully we can start the season in a good way, but at the end I’m happy to feel this kind of pressure, let’s say.”

Bezzecchi added that one aspect he has been focusing on this off-season is arriving in the best possible physical condition in Thailand for the start of the season.

“First of all, I have to try to arrive on-top physically,” he said.

“I’m already in a good shape, but the time is not so much so we need to really work hard before the beginning of the season to try to reach the perfect shape on our body. 

“Then, of course try to start in the best way possible, try to understand what is good and what to improve more on the bike, but this we will understand only in a few days in Sepang. Really can’t wait to go there to ride a bit.”