On Thursday morning, the next bombshell dropped on the MotoGP rider market. Enea Bastianini and Maverick Vinales are moving to KTM and will be driving for the Tech3 team from 2025. This means that Mattighofen has thrown a wrench into the works of one MotoGP competitor in particular. At Aprilia, both an extension with Vinales and a signing of Bastianini were at the top of the list for the upcoming teammate of star signing Jorge Martin. What other alternatives does Noale have?
A look at VR46: Finally an Italian on Aprilia?
Bastianini was also so coveted by Aprilia because he would finally have an Italian on the bike. In recent years, only riders from the Iberian peninsula have ridden the RS-GP, and Martin is the next Spaniard. But even though Bastianini is now off the market, there are other Italian riders who could be interesting. The focus is primarily on VR46, as Pramac’s Franco Morbidelli is considered unlikely.
Candidate number one is certainly Marco Bezzecchi. Last year’s third-place finisher in the World Championship is currently experiencing a difficult season and has had problems adjusting to the 2023 Ducati. Nevertheless, his potential is undisputed. Last year he turned down a move to Pramac and preferred to remain loyal to the team of his idol Valentino Rossi. Aprilia could now offer him a factory place on a bike that is probably no less competitive than a Ducati from last year. The only problem: He could end up as number two behind Martin.
The other VR46 driver would probably be more likely to accept this: Fabio Di Giannantonio. The Roman has impressed in the 2024 season with outstanding consistency. He has finished every Grand Prix so far in the top 10. However, there was no absolute highlight like Bezzecchi’s podium finish in Jerez. He himself has already announced that a factory place is attractive to him. However, ‘Diggia’ was also positive about an extension at VR46. In the end, he would probably be the ‘easier to care for’ but less ambitious solution if Aprilia really wants an Italian.
Internal promotion for Oliveira or Fernandez?
Two other possibilities are obvious, as Aprilia currently has two more MotoGP riders under contract, albeit only until the end of 2024. Trackhouse Racing operates directly from Aprilia headquarters and can therefore closely monitor the development of Miguel Oliveira and Raul Fernandez.
Oliveira has already won 5 MotoGP races, but none of them for Aprilia. In fact, in the almost one and a half years he has been on the RS-GP, the Portuguese has not even managed a single podium finish. The only thing that speaks for him is the potential he has shown in the past, not his current performance.
The development is different for Raul Fernandez. The Spaniard has recently shown a clear upward trend, although he is the only Aprilia rider who still has to ride the old 2023 motorcycle. He is currently only one point ahead of Oliveira, but the speed he showed was significantly better. In addition, he is only 23 years old and therefore certainly still has potential for development. This hardly applies to Oliveira at 29 years old.
Will there be a surprise candidate?
In addition to the above mentioned possibilities, other bigger names in MotoGP could also be available. There is a world champion on the market, for example, in Joan Mir, as the Spaniard is unlikely to want to spend another year with Honda. Aprilia could also come knocking on the door of his compatriot Alex Rins. However, it can be assumed that Yamaha would like to keep him.
The KTM commitments also include Jack Miller is without a contract for 2025. However, Honda is said to be interested in him and his performances have not really been a recommendation recently. This is even less true for Augusto Fernandez, who is currently completely lost to teammate Pedro Acosta.
And then there is the very unlikely possibility of a rookie. But in Fermin Aldeguer, Ducati has already secured what is probably the biggest talent at the moment. Joe Roberts, as an American, is more likely to be considered for Trackhouse and could perhaps end up there if Oliveira or Fernandez are promoted. Moto2 World Championship leader Sergio Garcia is currently attracting a lot of attention. Nevertheless, this option can be considered as good as impossible.
What do you think? Who can Aprilia land? Tell us in the comments!