Marco Bezzecchi reveals Valentino Rossi text “boost” ahead of Brazil MotoGP win

Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi says a text from mentor and MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi provided him a “boost” on Sunday ahead of his Brazilian Grand Prix victory.

The Italian began the Goiania weekend poorly, as a lack of confidence in iffy conditions on Friday afternoon in Practice left him out of the Q2 places in 20th.

Marco Bezzecchi was able to come through Q1 in qualifying and put his factory Aprilia second on the grid, though he struggled to fourth in the sprint.

But in the shortened 23-lap Brazilian Grand Prix, he returned to the dominant form he showed in Thailand, as he led from start to finish for his fourth consecutive Sunday victory.

Bezzecchi now leads the championship by 11 points over team-mate Jorge Martin, who made his first grand prix podium appearance since the 2024 Solidarity Grand Prix when he won the title.

‘Rossi told me I was doing great, and I believed him’

Speaking to Sky Italy after the race, Bezzecchi reveals nine-time grand prix world champion Valentino Rossi texted him prior to the race to keep his spirits high.

“Yes, it was amazing - a great day, a great race,” he beamed.

“I'm really happy because, given where we were on Friday, I honestly never thought we'd be able to win.

“But we made a big improvement yesterday, we worked hard last night, and I felt good right from the start this morning.

“And Vale texted me; that gave me a little extra motivation, too.

“He told me I was on a roll; he said, ‘Way to go, Bez, go, go!’ And I believed him, I felt good, and it was amazing. I’m really happy.”

Bezzecchi credited a step overnight from Saturday to Sunday in the set-up of his bike that helped his form in the grand prix, while the medium rear tyre gave his RS-GP more stability.

Reflecting on his weekend, he added: “On Friday, I had a moment, an hour and a half after the session and after the interviews, when I said, 'I really sucked today. Why am I going so slow?’

“I didn't understand. Then I felt like I wasn't feeling well. But until you look at all the data carefully, you never understand, and you're left wondering.

“Afterwards, however, we saw some riding, I could make some improvements, and the bike could clearly sort itself out a bit over the weekend.

“Then it was also a tough day due to the conditions, but that's no excuse because in the end, they were like that for everyone, and we took a nice payoff.

“After Saturday, I was really pumped, I was motivated, and I managed to do a good qualifying, which was crucial.

“I was very nervous, but I knew it would be crucial. And even though I wasn't in the right place in the sprint, I knew I could still refine something.

“Obviously, with the average speed, I didn't expect to feel so good, having never ridden it, but in the end it went well.”