It seemed the momentum had shifted of late and even more so on Friday in Mugello as Ducati put on a show of force. But come Sunday, Aprilia came out swinging out again – and there’s even more to talk about than ever. Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) imperious again, his teammate Jorge Martin back on the podium after a very tough Barcelona. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) leading the way – and his teammate Marc Marquez returning. Here are some of the best quotes from the weekend.

"It was difficult to not show too much emotion"

“I was very emotional because I saw the people very happy for me. So this was something that as I said before, I was dreaming of. It was a big emotion for me. It was difficult to not show too much. But it is okay.”

Normally a heart on his sleeve type but a little more understated, the Mugello reaction to his win made Bezzecchi bubble over. The race winner – who won the first three of the season – had seemed to have lost a little momentum after Mugello. But he seems to have it very much back.

“In terms of emotion, maybe this is very similar to the first one in MotoGP. My first victory in MotoGP. I know I don’t have many, but means a lot every time. So let’s say that first is this, second but with the same emotions the first win, and then maybe Brazil this year was the third one.”

Having seen his advantage at the top cut to 1 point not that long ago, it’s now back up to 17 points clear for Bezzecchi heading to Balaton.

"I gave 100% and it wasn’t enough"

Meanwhile on the other side of the Aprilia box, runner up Martin was very gracious. After the two fought a much less friendly battle for the Moto3 title in years gone by, the vibe has most definitely changed.

“First of all, I want to congratulate Marco for his amazing race and his strategy because today I gave my 100% and it wasn’t enough. I think as he said, all the factory in Noale, we went to Pontedera on Wednesday and we saw the Piaggio people working. I think this gave us a big boost. Is a big family for us now at Aprilia. I tried my chances. I made a few mistakes at the beginning of the race, and then I lost the chance I think to fight for a victory. Anyway, I think I’m in the right direction. Always trying to improve myself. Marco is making me push my limits further and further to try to improve myself to beat him. This makes always also the factory improve. Was a long race, tough race, but I was performing well.”

The 2024 World Champion did also, however, set himself up for his right to reply in Hungary.

“I always believe. At the beginning of the race, I was struggling. Pecco was putting on an amazing pace on track. Then I was catching and I saw Marc overtaking, so I said I need to move really fast because he will pull away. So, I did that. For two laps I think I closed a bit the gap, but then I was taking too many risks. Last three laps, my tires were done. My physical condition was done. So I just decided to keep that pace and take those points that are super good. Really solid weekend. Really happy. Really good preparation for Balaton.”

“I promise I’ll be back there to fight for a win”

Third place finisher Bagnaia likewise spoke about using the result as a building block – and promised he’ll be back to fight for wins.

“From the start of the season we started to work with a different mindset. I’m giving everything at home, every training, here to reach the level that we used to have. Our bike is working in a different way compared to the past. We are trying to set it in a way that I can be 100% myself. We are reaching this kind of level. It’s true that this GP for me was always super good because the layout of the track suits very well to my style. But a result like this, I want it to be a starting point. If we continue like this, I promise that we will arrive again and will be back there to fight for a win.

“If I'm here, it's because I want to push my career on”

Marc Marquez came into the weekend with plenty of questions around what to expect. But the #93 was a key part of that awesome battle for fourth and had some very interesting quotes on Sunday – even setting out his stall about racing on into the future.

“I'm happy with the decision I took to come here. Because in one part of me, I was like, 'come on, stay at home and come back in Balaton that is an easier slower track.' But another part I was saying to myself, 'all your career you give your 100%, so if you are not on the bike with the minimum possibility and with the OK of the doctors, you are not Marc'. So for that reason I came back here, and it was a working weekend. I approach it like real work, and the starting point is far from what I want, but we started at some point.

“The fact that I didn't know how it will be, I just give everything until the body or the right arm said, OK, stop. Especially I remember that I felt super tired and I checked the pit wall and there were still ten laps to go. So there was a bit of frustration there. But I tried to fight. I knew that I would lose that fight, but I said, ‘if I need to sell my skin, I will sell it in an expensive way’. We had a great battle there with many riders, and the most important thing for me is that I completed all the weekend, and the starting point of my rehabilitation on the bike was not bad.”

One of his best quotes was whether he’d been taking it a little steady, which Marquez just flat out denied. “No, I was not conservative. I was fighting against Acosta, it's true. But I was fighting against him with a better bike.”

Finally, the career question – where the #93 was once again unequivocal.

“If I'm here, it's because I want to push my career on. Just because this year I am not enjoying, but last year I was enjoying a lot. I want to try. But then, let's see what my physical condition will be in the future. But if I'm here, it's not that I'm here to fight for the title and take points. I'm here to try to be longer in my career.”

Now we head to Balaton Park, where Marc Marquez dominated with the double last year – and where the stars align a little more for a left-hander-loving returning rider getting back up to full strength. Don’t miss the Hungarian GP this weekend – a completely different challenge for everyone on the grid!