Credits ANSA_Maeci. Minister Antonio Tajani presents the plaque intended for rider Marco Bezzecchi—who is joining via video link—to Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing.
THE CEREMONY TOOK PLACE AT THE FARNESINA AS PART OF THE “MOTO D’ITALIA – CULTURE BEYOND THE TRACK” EVENT. ALSO IN ATTENDANCE WAS A DELEGATION FROM APRILIA RACING, CELEBRATED AS A LEADING EXAMPLE OF ‘MADE IN ITALY’ EXCELLENCE
Rome, 14 July 2026 – Marco Bezzecchi was awarded the title of 'Sports Diplomacy Ambassador' at the 'Moto d’Italia – Culture Beyond the Track ' event, which was held at the Farnesina. Participating via videoconference, Bezzecchi received this prestigious honour alongside Francesco Bagnaia from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Honourable Antonio Tajani.
A delegation from Aprilia Racing, led by CEO Massimo Rivola and representing the Piaggio Group, also attended the event. It was dedicated to promoting the Italian motorcycling industry, and Piaggio and Aprilia were celebrated as iconic 'Made in Italy' companies that showcase Italy at its best on the world stage.
Credits ANSA_Maeci. ‘MotoGP Legend’ Max Biaggi receives the award from Minister Tajani.
The greatest champions of Italian motorcycling were also honoured, including Giacomo Agostini, Valentino Rossi, Max Biaggi, Kiara Fontanesi, and Paolo Poli, General Manager and Chief Executive Officer of the Mugello Circuit.
Credits ANSA_Maeci.
Minister Tajani then opened an exhibition in the Sala Mappamondi at the Farnesina. The display featured six models representative of the Italian motorcycling tradition, including two Aprilias—a replica of the RS-GP26 and the 1997 RS125 GP on which Valentino Rossi won his first world title—as well as a Vespa Gts 80th. Massimo Rivola personally introduced these models to the Minister.
Credits ANSA_Maeci.
MARCO BEZZECCHI, APRILIA RACING RIDER IN MOTOGP: "I am very proud to have been appointed Sports Diplomacy Ambassador, and I would like to thank Minister Antonio Tajani for entrusting me with this role. It is a unique responsibility, and I will do my utmost to live up to it. I feel very fortunate because at Aprilia I have found a fantastic team who care about me and work hard, both on the track and in Noale, and this is truly important to me. Winning at Mugello, on an Italian motorbike with a factory team, and carrying the Italian flag onto the podium was an incredible feeling. Even now, when I think back on it, I get goosebumps. For now, I need to focus on my recovery. The operation went well, and I’ll be at Silverstone."
MASSIMO RIVOLA – CEO APRILIA RACING: "On behalf of the Piaggio Group, we are truly grateful to be here today. Our Group comprises major brands, including Vespa – one of our country’s most iconic brands, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year – Moto Guzzi and, of course, Aprilia. Aprilia, like the entire Piaggio Group, embodies Italian spirit around the world, and we are extremely proud of this. We have a great responsibility, but we are also extraordinarily fortunate to be based in the most beautiful country in the world. This motivates us even more and makes us feel honoured to have Italian competitors, with whom we wish to continue exporting our excellence and our passion around the world."
APRILIA RACING MOTOGP:
https://www.aprilia.com/en_EN/aprilia-racing/moto-gp/
MOTO D’ITALIA – CULTURA OLTRE LA PISTA: SPORT DIPLOMACY HIGHLIGHTS A MADE IN ITALY EXCELLENCE:
https://www.esteri.it/en/sala_stampa/archivionotizie/approfondimenti/2026/07/moto-ditalia-cultura-oltre-la-pista-la-diplomazia-sportiva-valorizza-uneccellenza-del-made-in-italy/
During the event, the docu-series “Moto d’Italia – Cultura oltre la pista” was presented. The series was produced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group, ITA, ANCMA, EICMA, and the Italian Motorcycling Federation. The project explores the connection between competition, industry, innovation, design, and local areas, highlighting a supply chain that is one of the most recognizable expressions of Made in Italy.
(Source: Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale; Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation).
The docu-series “Moto d’Italia – Cultura oltre la pista” is available on the FMI and ANCMA channels:
https://www.federmoto.it/moto-ditalia-la-miniserie-che-racconta-leccellenza-motociclistica-italiana-e-sui-canali-fmi-e-ancma/
