Source: Cycle World
Massimo Rivola with Jorge Martín at the time of his contract signing with Aprilia. (Aprilia/)Just 24 hours can rewrite the future of MotoGP. Even though the Italian Grand Prix at the spectacular Mugello Circuit is only the seventh race of the 2024 season, the 2025 season is already being outlined with some very big surprises.Last Sunday after the race, Jorge Martín was informed by Ducati that the seat on the factory team would not be for him. A few hours later Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing, called Albert Valera, Martín’s manager. “The feedback was very positive, so I immediately called my boss, Michele Colaninno, Piaggio Group CEO, and said there was a serious possibility to sign Martín. ‘Let’s do it,’ he answered and here we are.”Less than 24 hours later, it was announced that Jorge Martín will join Aprilia with a multiple year contract. Martín will replace Aleix Espargaró, who announced his retirement from racing last week in Barcelona. With Aprilia’s competitive RS-GP to offer, Rivola played all the cards, speaking with different riders in the last week—including Marc Márquez, Martín, and Enea Bastianini. Martín was the first to move.EscalationIt was very clear something needed to happen as the uncertainty about the seat on the factory Ducati had created a tense atmosphere among the riders. On one side, Martín arrived calm at Mugello feeling strong with a Ducati promise that he would have the spot in red unless Márquez became world champion. But Márquez’s public declaration in the pre-event conference that Pramac was “not an option” turned the situation on its head.Given the talent of Márquez and how quickly he has adapted to the Ducati in 2024, as well as his marketing might, the Ducati bosses were at a crossroads. The resolution was to make a U-turn on its initial decision, informing Martín on Sunday afternoon that Márquez will be getting the factory seat instead. This opened the door for Aprilia. We spoke to Rivola about the quick turn of events.Can you tell us the timeline?“Since Aleix decided to retire, we started to look for another rider. Considering that we have a competitive bike, our strategy was to speak with many riders, but not to do the first move. Honestly when we were in Barcelona, I didn’t think that having Martín was a concrete possibility, But then things changed rapidly. On Sunday evening we felt there was an opportunity and we were quite quick in making actions rather than just talks.”Around what time did you call Martín?“It was in the evening. I had smelled that something had changed and it was the right moment to act. We found a deal very, very quickly and I have to thank Aleix for that as well because he has a very special friendship with Martín.”Timing was crucial.“It was a factor because we were really very fast. Last night I called my boss and I said, ‘We have a chance,’ and he said, ‘Get him, go for it.’ And I did. I’m very proud to show our efficiency also outside of the track: Our legal guys worked during the night to get it done and on Monday we spent more time in the motorhome than in the garage to get it done. It was the fastest contract I have ever done in my career.”Martín looked very nervous on Saturday and Sunday. For sure he must have been very angry.“If it is anger, it will make him a tenth faster next year (he smiles). Honestly, I think Jorge has found in Aprilia the place he was looking for: a place where he feels wanted, a competitive bike, and a nice atmosphere.”Rivola is known for treating racers fairly, which most likely made Martín’s decision to sign with Aprilia easier. (Maria Guidotti/)Strong emotions can be bad advisers. Are you worried about that?“The race was very emotional after Jorge’s crash on Saturday. I think he had understood that his future was no more in Red and he wanted to find the best possible solution for him. I don’t know if Jorge’s decision is based on emotions, but I like to think that he chose us because Aprilia has been having persistent growth over the years. Looking at the season, we are the only other one to have won races, so we are the only alternative.”Were you surprised about Mr. Colaninno’s green light?“No, because it’s not so easy to find such a strong rider who is so hungry and motivated at the same time. We are also growing in terms of resources and this is the result of that.”Aprilia showed to be fast on track and in the legal office. Why this urge to announce Martín on Monday after the Italian GP?“The fact that we announced on Monday is also part of our vision: Taking fast and effective decisions so that we can move on and focus on the next step. The season is still long, and we also have an important commitment in Misano next weekend: the Aprilia All Stars.”What do you think was the crucial factor to convince Martínator?“Among all the offers he had on the table, ours was not the highest one, although it is a respectable amount. We are proud that he chose us because this means that the bike is competitive, and it tells a lot about the status of the team, because there is a very nice atmosphere.”You have always had a very ethical approach with the riders, I think with Andrea Iannone or more recently with Espargaró, which is not very common.“I can only speak about our policy, and in fact I am sorry I couldn’t personally inform Maverick [Viñales] in advance about the move with Martín. But as I said there was a test going on on track, but we were closeted with Jorge in our motorhome to finalize the contract.”Next year, Martín will battle with his main rival, Pecco Bagnaia, on a factory Aprilia. (MotoGP/)Now that Martín is fixed, what about Maverick Viñales?“Maverick is a fixed point. I have always said that I believe in Maverick. Thanks to him the team has done a drastic step forward and he has become the reference for the other Aprilia riders. Having Martín and Maverick will be the best lineup.”You also spoke with Bastianini, could he be an option?“I have been trying to sign Enea for a long time, but now, our priority is to understand Maverick’s plans and if he wants to stay. I am more than happy, but this means that there is no place for Enea.”With Aleix you are losing the “Capitano,” will Martín be the new capitano?“If Maverick stays, he will be the capitano, because he has been a key part of the team’s growth. He joined us in a difficult time and brought Aprilia to the top level, showing us a different riding style compared to Aleix Espargaró.”What about Trackhouse’s lineup?“We are discussing with Davide Brivio, we are aligned, and we have the same feelings about riders. I think Trackhouse has a bright future, they are also searching for new engineers. They have good riders who haven’t shown their potential yet.”Joe Roberts won in Mugello, could having an American racer in an American team be an option?“At this moment, I think that more than nationality, experience counts to make the team continue to grow.”What are the next steps?“We have the Aprilia All Stars event in Misano, and then back to work for Assen. There is a lot of work to do.”
Full Text:
Massimo Rivola with Jorge Martín at the time of his contract signing with Aprilia. (Aprilia/)
Just 24 hours can rewrite the future of MotoGP. Even though the Italian Grand Prix at the spectacular Mugello Circuit is only the seventh race of the 2024 season, the 2025 season is already being outlined with some very big surprises.
Last Sunday after the race, Jorge Martín was informed by Ducati that the seat on the factory team would not be for him. A few hours later Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing, called Albert Valera, Martín’s manager. “The feedback was very positive, so I immediately called my boss, Michele Colaninno, Piaggio Group CEO, and said there was a serious possibility to sign Martín. ‘Let’s do it,’ he answered and here we are.”
Less than 24 hours later, it was announced that Jorge Martín will join Aprilia with a multiple year contract. Martín will replace Aleix Espargaró, who announced his retirement from racing last week in Barcelona. With Aprilia’s competitive RS-GP to offer, Rivola played all the cards, speaking with different riders in the last week—including Marc Márquez, Martín, and Enea Bastianini. Martín was the first to move.
Escalation
It was very clear something needed to happen as the uncertainty about the seat on the factory Ducati had created a tense atmosphere among the riders. On one side, Martín arrived calm at Mugello feeling strong with a Ducati promise that he would have the spot in red unless Márquez became world champion. But Márquez’s public declaration in the pre-event conference that Pramac was “not an option” turned the situation on its head.
Given the talent of Márquez and how quickly he has adapted to the Ducati in 2024, as well as his marketing might, the Ducati bosses were at a crossroads. The resolution was to make a U-turn on its initial decision, informing Martín on Sunday afternoon that Márquez will be getting the factory seat instead. This opened the door for Aprilia. We spoke to Rivola about the quick turn of events.
Can you tell us the timeline?
“Since Aleix decided to retire, we started to look for another rider. Considering that we have a competitive bike, our strategy was to speak with many riders, but not to do the first move. Honestly when we were in Barcelona, I didn’t think that having Martín was a concrete possibility, But then things changed rapidly. On Sunday evening we felt there was an opportunity and we were quite quick in making actions rather than just talks.”
Around what time did you call Martín?
“It was in the evening. I had smelled that something had changed and it was the right moment to act. We found a deal very, very quickly and I have to thank Aleix for that as well because he has a very special friendship with Martín.”
Timing was crucial.
“It was a factor because we were really very fast. Last night I called my boss and I said, ‘We have a chance,’ and he said, ‘Get him, go for it.’ And I did. I’m very proud to show our efficiency also outside of the track: Our legal guys worked during the night to get it done and on Monday we spent more time in the motorhome than in the garage to get it done. It was the fastest contract I have ever done in my career.”
Martín looked very nervous on Saturday and Sunday. For sure he must have been very angry.
“If it is anger, it will make him a tenth faster next year (he smiles). Honestly, I think Jorge has found in Aprilia the place he was looking for: a place where he feels wanted, a competitive bike, and a nice atmosphere.”
Rivola is known for treating racers fairly, which most likely made Martín’s decision to sign with Aprilia easier. (Maria Guidotti/)
Strong emotions can be bad advisers. Are you worried about that?
“The race was very emotional after Jorge’s crash on Saturday. I think he had understood that his future was no more in Red and he wanted to find the best possible solution for him. I don’t know if Jorge’s decision is based on emotions, but I like to think that he chose us because Aprilia has been having persistent growth over the years. Looking at the season, we are the only other one to have won races, so we are the only alternative.”
Were you surprised about Mr. Colaninno’s green light?
“No, because it’s not so easy to find such a strong rider who is so hungry and motivated at the same time. We are also growing in terms of resources and this is the result of that.”
Aprilia showed to be fast on track and in the legal office. Why this urge to announce Martín on Monday after the Italian GP?
“The fact that we announced on Monday is also part of our vision: Taking fast and effective decisions so that we can move on and focus on the next step. The season is still long, and we also have an important commitment in Misano next weekend: the Aprilia All Stars.”
What do you think was the crucial factor to convince Martínator?
“Among all the offers he had on the table, ours was not the highest one, although it is a respectable amount. We are proud that he chose us because this means that the bike is competitive, and it tells a lot about the status of the team, because there is a very nice atmosphere.”
You have always had a very ethical approach with the riders, I think with Andrea Iannone or more recently with Espargaró, which is not very common.
“I can only speak about our policy, and in fact I am sorry I couldn’t personally inform Maverick [Viñales] in advance about the move with Martín. But as I said there was a test going on on track, but we were closeted with Jorge in our motorhome to finalize the contract.”
Next year, Martín will battle with his main rival, Pecco Bagnaia, on a factory Aprilia. (MotoGP/)
Now that Martín is fixed, what about Maverick Viñales?
“Maverick is a fixed point. I have always said that I believe in Maverick. Thanks to him the team has done a drastic step forward and he has become the reference for the other Aprilia riders. Having Martín and Maverick will be the best lineup.”
You also spoke with Bastianini, could he be an option?
“I have been trying to sign Enea for a long time, but now, our priority is to understand Maverick’s plans and if he wants to stay. I am more than happy, but this means that there is no place for Enea.”
With Aleix you are losing the “Capitano,” will Martín be the new capitano?
“If Maverick stays, he will be the capitano, because he has been a key part of the team’s growth. He joined us in a difficult time and brought Aprilia to the top level, showing us a different riding style compared to Aleix Espargaró.”
What about Trackhouse’s lineup?
“We are discussing with Davide Brivio, we are aligned, and we have the same feelings about riders. I think Trackhouse has a bright future, they are also searching for new engineers. They have good riders who haven’t shown their potential yet.”
Joe Roberts won in Mugello, could having an American racer in an American team be an option?
“At this moment, I think that more than nationality, experience counts to make the team continue to grow.”
What are the next steps?
“We have the Aprilia All Stars event in Misano, and then back to work for Assen. There is a lot of work to do.”
