Marco Bezzecchi needs a break after a difficult run of MotoGP results with Aprilia, according to team insiders. The Italian rider has struggled to find form in recent races.

What happened to Marco Bezzecchi?

Bezzecchi has hit a rough patch in the 2026 season. The Aprilia rider has failed to finish in the top five in his last three outings. His best result in that span was a seventh-place finish at the Italian Grand Prix on 31 May.

Team sources say the 27-year-old is pushing too hard. That aggression, once his strength, is now costing him points. A crash at the Dutch TT on 28 June ended his race early.

Why does Bezzecchi need a break?

The pressure of racing for a factory team is taking its toll. Bezzecchi joined Aprilia in 2025 after three seasons with VR46 Racing. The step up has been tougher than expected.

He sits eighth in the championship standings, 89 points behind leader Francesco Bagnaia. That gap is growing. Aprilia team manager Paolo Bonora said the rider needs to reset mentally.

What comes next for Bezzecchi?

Aprilia is considering giving Bezzecchi a weekend off from media duties. The goal is to let him focus purely on riding. No decision has been made yet about skipping a race.

The next round is the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring on 12 July. Bezzecchi will race there. But the team wants him to approach it with a clearer head.

Bezzecchi himself admitted after Assen that he is "trying too hard." He said he needs to find his old rhythm. The talent is still there — he won three races in 2023.

How did Bezzecchi get here?

His 2023 season was a breakout. He finished third in the championship, beating factory Ducati riders. That form earned him the Aprilia seat.

But 2025 was a learning year. He scored one podium, a third place at Misano. 2026 started with promise — a fourth at Qatar — but the consistency vanished.

Aprilia's bike has also been tricky. The RS-GP is fast but hard to set up. Bezzecchi and teammate Maverick Viñales have both complained about rear grip.

What the paddock says

Rivals have noticed his struggles. Bagnaia called Bezzecchi "a fighter who will bounce back." Marc Marquez said the break is a smart move.

Bonora put it bluntly: "Marco needs to step back to step forward. He is a talented rider. He just needs to clear his head."

Bezzecchi will line up at the Sachsenring this weekend. The question is whether a mental reset can turn his season around.