Aprilia has struck a mid-season deal with Monster Energy as its new MotoGP title sponsor in the midst of its best-ever premier-class season.
The multi-year deal begins immediately, featuring the "presence of the iconic, three-claw logo on the factory RS-GP bikes, on the riders’ leathers, and on the team’s key assets" according to the announcement.
The manufacturer leads the riders', teams' and constructors' standings after six rounds, with its factory duo Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin the two leading contenders for the riders' title.
Aprilia had already been a regular contender at or near the front since the start of the decade - but its factory team had remained without a title backer, something publicly lamented by Aprilia racing boss Massimo Rivola.
This has changed now via the Monster deal, meaning the energy drink company now acts as title sponsor to two separate MotoGP factory teams, the other being Yamaha. It is also a major sponsor of the works Ducati team.
"This agreement represents a milestone for Aprilia Racing and the crowning
moment of our path of success," said Rivola.
The mid-season deal is a particular curiosity given that the factory team has been operating under a not-unusual-for-MotoGP energy drink sponsorship split between its two riders - with Bezzecchi backed personally by Monster but Martin a Red Bull athlete.
Martin's Red Bull sponsorship now appears to be on pause. There will be no such complication next year, as Martin will move on and Bezzecchi will be joined by Pecco Bagnaia, another Monster-backed rider, as his team-mate.
While Martin in theory moves to another outfit with a Monster title sponsorship, it is not known whether Yamaha's arrangement with Monster will continue in 2027 - when it no longer employs star rider Fabio Quartararo (also a Monster athlete).
How we knew this was coming
Simon Patterson
I've actually had my suspicions that this announcement was coming for a while, given that while I was sat next to Rivola on Saturday night at Barcelona, Monster Energy's senior vice president of sports Mitch Covington arrived for a somewhat covert meeting with the Aprilia team boss - and that Rivola returned to the table fist-pumping the air in happiness!
It's been a long-term project for him to secure a big-name sponsor for Aprilia without compromising on its perceived value while doing so - and it seems in Monster Aprilia has found a willing partner at a very opportune time for both brand and new partner.
It has undoubtedly taken some wheeling and dealing with Martin and his management to allow it to happen, considering his extensive Red Bull links, but with both Bezzecchi and next year's Martin replacement Bagnaia being well and truly entrenched in the Monster structure thanks to their place in the VR46 Academy, it makes complete sense for 2027 and beyond.
from The Race https://ift.tt/5A1r6xG
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