Bezzecchi ends win drought in spectacular British MotoGP

Observer

7 days ago

SILVERSTONE, United Kingdom: Italy's Marco Bezzecchi won an incident-packed British MotoGP on Sunday for his first win since India in 2023 in a race at Silverstone that had two starts.
The 26-year-old Aprilia rider came home ahead of France's Johann Zarco (Honda LCR), backing up his surprise win in France a fortnight ago, with championship leader Marc Marquez (Ducati) just snatching third.
Marquez extends his lead in the standings over his younger brother Alex. The unluckiest rider was France's 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo, who had taken pole for the third successive race and looked set for his first win since 2022. However, a technical problem on his Yamaha ended his race on the 12th lap. His misery contrasted to the joy on the exuberant Bezzecchi's face.
"It's amazing, I started a new adventure, Aprilia trusted in me," said the mop-haired Italian.
"I worked really hard, through some tough periods in past races but never gave up, thanks to the factory.
"Thanks to my family and those who stayed close to me in all these tough moments." Zarco at 34 is the oldest rider on the circuit, but he is revelling in what is proving to be an Indian summer for him.
"I cannot believe it, a very special race, good to have a second start," he said.
"On the second start I got the first three corners perfectly, gained positions, then I was on the podium.
"When I saw Fabio have a technical problem I even thought I could win another race." All the riders were able to take part in chapter two of the race — including both the Marquez brothers who had crashed out — as three laps had yet to be completed. Alex had gone on the opening corner and Marc on the second lap when he was leading.
However, a red flag came out because there was oil on the track — resulting from a collision between Franco Morbidelli and Aleix Espargaro.
Aprilia Racing's Marco Bezzecchi in action during the race Action. — Reuters
Alex Marquez was understandably more cautious on the restart but still overtook Quartararo before the Frenchman retook command.
Quartararo got a buffer too as Jack Miller on a satellite Yamaha bike surged into second on the second lap and Zarco moved into third. The pressure appeared to get to the two Ducati riders.
They both went too wide on a corner on the third lap dropping Marc Marquez and two-time world champion Francesco Bagnaia well down the field.
Bagnaia's race finished on the fourth lap, the Italian coming to grief down on his knees in the gravel his head raised to the heavens and shaking his hands in despair.
Miller's dreams of a podium finish disappeared on the seventh lap as the Australian was passed by Bezzecchi and Zarco and then dropped to fifth.
Quartararo held a five second lead over his pursuers with 11 laps remaining but Marc Marquez was pushing and making ground through the field.
Marc Marquez moved into fourth on the 11th lap, some eight seconds behind Quartararo but with the Frenchman's compatriot Zarco next in his sights.
- DISCONSOLATE -
However, the complexion of the race changed when disaster struck for Quartararo.
The 26-year-old burst into tears, slapped his control panel and after climbing off his bike went down on his haunches sobbing with his head in his hands.
The disconsolate Frenchman received a resounding round of applause as he trudged back to the Yamaha stable.
His mishap left Bezzecchi in the lead, three seconds ahead of Zarco with Marc Marquez a further two seconds behind in third.
Neverthless it was Marquez who had to watch himself as he came under pressure for third from Morbidelli and after back and forth on the final lap the Spaniard just got his nose in front.
A rather sullen Marquez said the second start had "saved the day" allowing him to make up for the mistake in the 'first race.' His relief was nothing compared to the joy of Bezzecchi who celebrated understandably in raucous fashion with his team. — AFP