Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola sees a need for action in MotoGP to reduce costs and calls for better marketing of the racing series
For 2025, Aprilia has made a major investment to secure the services of Jorge Martin. With the reigning world champion on board, attention is increasing, as is the interest of potential sponsors. At the same time, MotoGP remains a financial challenge for Aprilia.
At the presentation of the RS-GP25 on Thursday, Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola struck a serious tone when asked about the profitability of MotoGP.
“This is one of my endless discussions with Carmelo and the MotoGP environment. I still believe that our sport, our business, is a bit too expensive. And I don’t think we necessarily need that much to put on a good show,” said the Italian.
In his opinion, some areas of MotoGP could be better regulated, but it is crucial that such regulations can be effectively enforced. One specific reason for Rivola’s comments was the crisis at KTM.
Rivola views KTM crisis as warning sign
The Austrian manufacturer, which plays a significant role in MotoGP, has recently been struggling with economic problems, which has fueled speculation of insolvency and withdrawal from the series. Rivola views this as a warning sign.
“The warning we have received from KTM’s situation should not be dismissed as ‘bad luck’. We should learn from it and act. I hope that we will discuss this again when the next five-year contract (with MotoGP) is up for discussion.” The new contract cycle with the manufacturers begins in 2027.
Asked how much MotoGP would suffer by losing another manufacturer after Suzuki’s departure at the end of 2022, Rivola says: “I don’t think we’ll lose KTM. And I think the championship needs KTM.”
Takeover by Liberty Media as an opportunity
“It’s time to deliver some good news for MotoGP, because I think we offer the best show of all. But we’re not getting back what we deliver.”
“I would be very interested in seeing Liberty (Media) involved, because the Americans are generally good at internal marketing, as can be seen from what they have done in Formula 1. It seems like they have a kind of ‘magic touch’, and that’s exactly what we need in MotoGP,“ said the Aprilia CEO.
”It’s a beautiful sport and the riders are something of a superhero. We have to show the world who they are,” he urges, in order to ensure the long-term attractiveness of MotoGP for teams, manufacturers and spectators alike.
While KTM’s recovery plan currently envisages a withdrawal from MotoGP in 2026, the announced takeover of the series by Liberty Media has not yet been completed. The EU Commission still has to give the deal the green light.