Bezzecchi as an Ambassador for Sports Diplomacy: “A unique responsibility”

This week, MotoGP legends Valentino Rossi, Giacomo Agostini and Max Biaggi, along with two current riders – Pecco Bagnaia and Marco Bezzecchi – were honoured in Rome. Italy’s Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, appointed them all as ‘ambassadors of sports diplomacy’.

Marco Bezzecchi war per Videokonferenz zugeschaltet

Foto: Aprilia

Whilst Bagnaia, Agostini and Aprilia brand ambassador Biaggi made the trip to Rome, Rossi and Bezzecchi joined via video conference. ‘Bez’ had broken his left collarbone in a crash during qualifying and is recovering from his injury during the MotoGP summer break. His aim is to be back on his Aprilia RS-GP for the British Grand Prix (7–9 August).

The Italian was delighted to be appointed an ambassador for sports diplomacy. “I am very proud to have been appointed an ambassador for sports diplomacy, and I would like to thank Minister Antonio Tajani for entrusting me with this role,” said the 27-year-old. “It is a unique responsibility, and I will do my best to live up to it. I consider myself very lucky, because at Aprilia I have found a fantastic team that looks after me and works hard – both on the racetrack and in Noale – and that is really important to me. Winning at Mugello on an Italian motorbike with a works team and carrying the Italian flag onto the podium was an incredible feeling. Even now, when I think back on it, I get goosebumps. For now, I need to focus on my recovery. The operation went well, and I’ll be there at Silverstone.”

Die Aprilia-Abordnung in Rom

Foto: Aprilia

Alongside Ducati bosses Claudio Domenicali and Mauro Grassilli, Aprilia’s racing director Massimo Rivola and technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini were also present in Rome. “On behalf of the Piaggio Group, we are very grateful to be here. Our group includes major brands such as Vespa – one of our country’s best-known brands, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year – Moto Guzzi and, of course, Aprilia,” Rivola listed. “Aprilia, like the entire Piaggio Group, embodies the Italian spirit throughout the world, and we are extremely proud of that. We bear a great responsibility, but we are also extraordinarily fortunate to be based in the most beautiful country in the world. This motivates us all the more and fills us with pride to have Italian competitors with whom we wish to continue spreading our excellence and our passion throughout the world.”