Massimo Rivola has explained the highs and lows of J😼orge Martin’s first laps on an Aprilia.

Mar🌺tin swapped Pramac Ducati for the factory Aprilia garage just two days after winning the MotoGP championship for the firsᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚt time.

His title defence will be on a new machine, a bike which lagged behind the Ducatis this year, albeit a✨ project with 😼room to grow.

“The feeling was super positive,” A☂prilia CEO Rivola said about Martin’s first test.

“He gave more positive feedback than we expected.

“Obviously there are things🍎 that are b༺etter, things that can be improved.

“In general, it’s a b♑ike he likes a lot.꧒ But, on the screen, we also saw him fighting with the bike sometimes.

“We have an idea of what he wants.

“Also, interest🌟ing that Marco Bezzecchi had similar comments. So the direction is clear.

“They started with t🌞he 2024 bike then moved onto the 2025.

“It looks like the direction of the ‘25 is b♎etter than the ‘24 so maybe we can 😼do another step in that direction.

“I am positive and happy with this day.”

Martin tested w🦩ith #89 on his le൲athers and his bike, and remains undecided about whether to run the #1 plate in 2025.

Aprilia and Ducati have been back-and-forth over Martin winning on one bike, th𒀰en branding a rival bike.

'Big changes for a big challenge'

April🐷ia al💝so recruited Marco Bezzecchi from VR46 for 2025, giving him a factory ride for the first time.

Martin and Bezzecchi be𒀰came available when Ducati opted to pick Marc Marquez for their 2025 official team.

It means the Aprilia garage was much-changed at the postseasonও test, with Maverick Vinales and Aleix Espargaro both gone.

“It was quite unique, also having Fabiano Sterlacchin꧂i in his official role as technical d⛦irector, a new crew chief and a couple of mechanics,” Rivola said.

“Big changes for a big challenge.

“It was impressive to see the bonding between the people. I saw a t🅠eam united. I was pleased to see this feeling.”

April💜i꧃a will hope to, at the very least, become Ducati’s top challengers in 2025, if not overthrow their rivals.