‘White Pearl’: Aprilia aces Bezzecchi and Martin to race in Vespa-themed GP leathers

The Aprilia RS-GP all in white – hasn’t that happened before? That’s right – the MotoGP racer from Noale was last repainted to mark the contract extension with Marco Bezzecchi. As part of the elaborate PR campaign in Sepang, the white Bezzecchi prototype was displayed in a ‘bridal’ look – with Bezzecchi himself in a black one-piece suit.

But the difference lies in the details – and now the riders are also ‘all in white’ and sporting a different design. In late-summer Misano Adriatico, the focus is now on what is arguably the Piaggio Group’s flagship product – the Vespa. The 80th anniversary of Vespa has been celebrated all year round. This unbeatably successful vehicle is now also the central theme of the MotoGP team under Racing CEO Massimo Rivola. The entire works team is dedicating its appearance on GP Sunday to the scooter which, with nearly 20 million units produced, has been the backbone of the company for decades.

Die MotoGP-Aprilia für den großen Auftritt in Misano

Foto: Aprilia Racing

To this end, a link is being forged with the world of F1. The design is also intended to pay tribute to Formula 1 legend Gilles Villeneuve, as Massimo Rivola explained in Misano, referring to the ‘Perla Bianca’: “In the 80-year history of the Vespa – an icon that has stood the test of time and remains a globally recognised symbol to this day – it would have been remiss not to celebrate the connection with Gilles Villeneuve, one of the most popular drivers in the history of Formula 1. Gilles captivated millions of fans with his talent and his approach to racing, just as Vespa has won over millions of people.”

Auch F1-Legende Gilles Villeneuve wird in Misano geehrt

Foto: Aprilia Racing

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Rivola continued: “Bringing this tribute back to Misano for our home race is a way of celebrating two icons who – although they belong to different worlds – have left a deep mark on history and in the collective imagination of millions of people. There is also a wonderful coincidence with the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Madrid, which is taking place this weekend. It was at Jarama that Gilles celebrated his last victory in 1981 – the year the racing suit we have reinterpreted dates from.”