Marco Bezzecchi shares the message Valentino Rossi sent before Brazilian Grand Prix victory
Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Marco Bezzecchi’s red-hot start to the 2026 MotoGP season continued in Brazil, as the Italian claimed his fourth consecutive victory of the year. Bezzecchi also became the first Aprilia rider to string together four straight wins in MotoGP, adding to his dominant run from Buriram to Goiânia. The early-season surge has him sitting comfortably atop the championship standings.
Aprilia enjoyed a 1-2 finish in Brazil, with Jorge Martin crossing second ahead of polesitter Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marc Marquez. Di Giannantonio had started from pole position and held the early lead but gradually faded as Bezzecchi found his rhythm. The Sprint race hadn’t gone as smoothly for Bezzecchi, who finished off the podium while Martin took top honours.
But he had support from Valentino Rossi heading into Sunday’s main event – and it made a difference. After securing Aprilia’s first-ever top-flight title last season, Bezzecchi looks every bit capable of going back-to-back in 2026. Valentino Rossi Motivated Marco Bezzecchi Before His Victory in Brazil Photo by Gold & Goose Photography/Getty Images Rossi has been a constant presence behind Bezzecchi this year.
He played a huge role in his rise, bringing him through the VR46 Academy and giving him his MotoGP debut with the team. Even if Rossi isn’t completely convinced about Bezzecchi’s title hopes, he hasn’t stopped backing him. After the race in Goiânia, speaking to Sky Italia, Bezzecchi shared what the MotoGP legend had said to him beforehand.
“Yes, it was brilliant – a great day, a great race,” said Bezzecchi. “I’m really happy because, given where we were on Friday, I honestly never thought we’d manage to win. “But we made a big improvement yesterday; we worked hard last night and I felt good right from the start this morning.