Marco Bezzecchi takes “too early” stance on MotoGP title, Aprilia form

Marco Bezzecchi takes a four-grand prix win streak and the MotoGP title lead into this weekend’s US round at COTA.

Bezzecchi’s success, which also includes leading the last 101 Sunday laps in a row, is unprecedented for an Aprilia rider in the premier-class.

But this year’s Sprint races have kept Bezzecchi’s feet on the ground, falling from the lead in Thailand, then finishing off the podium in fourth last weekend in Brazil.

“I feel good, I feel happy, it's of course been a good moment, but now we start another race weekend. It's always a new chapter,” Bezzecchi said on Thursday at COTA.

“It's a track that I really like, the place is amazing, and the fans as well. So I really can't wait to jump on the bike and to try to enjoy this amazing track.”

Bezzecchi hasn’t finished higher than sixth in the MotoGP class at Austin - last year with Aprilia and in 2023 with VR46 Ducati - but has finished on the podium as a Moto3 and Moto2 rider.

Meanwhile, Maverick Vinales memorably dominated the 2024 weekend on an Aprilia.

“Every year is quite unique in our sport. It's true that Maverick did an amazing weekend two years ago, but the bike is completely different now, so I don't really know what to expect,” Bezzecchi said,

“It's also true that Marc in this track has always been amazing. I think he has more wins in this track than me in my MotoGP career! So it will not be an easy weekend, but we will do our best and see.”

Bezzecchi takes the same cautious approach to the world championship standings, where he and team-mate Jorge Martin currently hold first and second places.

“We [still have] 40 races between Sprint and GP. I think it's a little bit early,” he said of his title chances.

“Of course, I would love to be competitive for all the season, it's my target and I will try to do it with my team to work always in the best way that we can every weekend.

“But at the moment I don't want to make my mind full of these kinds of thoughts.”

Bezzecchi echoed that stance when it comes to comparing the 2026 RS-GP with the latest iteration of the title-winning Ducati Desmosedici.

“I'm riding the Aprilia, and I don't know how the Ducati is, so it's impossible for me to make a comparison between the two bikes,” he said.

“At the end, it's also super early in the championship to say these kinds of things.

“What is super important for me is that my team is working well with me, I feel super good, I feel very loved inside the box, and this for me is what really matters.”