Let's talk MotoGP: Marco Bezzecchi got lost

Merry Christmas ! On this day of celebration, it is time to take stock. Like every year for three years, Let's talk MotoGP
is embarking on a fairly important undertaking: taking stock of each driver at the end of the 2024 season, today, Marco Bezzecchi's turn. For a good part of the winter, we will go back through the rankings in reverse, to the point of talking in detail about the world champion's campaign. Are you ready? Here we go!

Yesterday, we returned to the case of Fabio Quartararo; click here to find the corresponding article.

The disappointment

Some time ago, I assured that Marco Bezzecchi was objectively – I tried! – the biggest disappointment of this season. There are many arguments that I will detail, but in the end, everything is summed up quite easily: he never got used to his Ducati Desmosedici GP23.

Obviously, it is the comparison with 2023 that calls out. On GP22 he was brilliant, holding some of the most impressive wins in recent years. I think of India,
where he won with a seven-second lead in the dry, at Le Mans, but still in Argentina. Le Bez', extremely strong in the rain and endowed with undeniable charisma, was a real revelation just waiting for confirmation.

By mid-season, he was missing. Photo: Michelin Motorsport

Still at Ducati VR46, we could have expected a tornado but the blow subsided. Against all expectations, he never returned to his season. We thought he was relaunching after his podium at Jerez, but ultimately this was his only appearance in the top 3 this season. It's sad, especially since this pilot is one of the rare ones who has a marked personality.

From third in the championship, he slipped to 12th place, last among the Ducati riders. Worse, he was beaten by his teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio, who was discovering the VR46 environment, and who had to be absent for three races. It's quite terrible, but this allowed him to find a handlebar in the Aprilia factory team for the coming year.

The reason for his crossing of the desert was for a long time difficult to understand, but during the overseas tour, Bezzecchi spoke at greater length about the difficulties he was experiencing with the GP23. To tell the truth, when a pilot of his caliber does not succeed, there is no need for him to justify himself any further, because all spectators without bad faith know that it remains exceptional.

The loss of a character

I've always found people to be quite harsh on Bezzecchi, probably too much, in fact. Indeed, he has just had a very bad season, especially in comparison with what he had offered a year before. However, I have the impression that many of Valentino Rossi's detractors, partly stuck in the past, are unable to distinguish between all the pilots who pass through the academy and “The Doctor” himself. Just like some Rossi fans saw their lives end in 2015, by the way – I don't have a preference for so-and-so, I don't like fanaticism.

As a family, but the three are different. Photo: Michelin Motorsport

That said, I find it a shame to no longer see Bezzecchi at the forefront. I like his character, his well-placed arrogance, his provocative Simoncelli look. A bit like Aleix Espargaro, these characters are essential to the MotoGP ecosystem, especially as it should smooth out as Liberty Media will take back control of our favorite sport.

Is it all over?

Let's not give too much importance to the culture of the moment. Many are already burying him, while his season, even if it remains alarming for a Ducati rider, was still punctuated by interesting moments. I'm referring to his podium, of course, but also to his two weekends in Misano or his Indonesian Grand Prix, for example. It's too little given the quality of its equipment, and especially compared to the competition, but it's still decent. In addition, he was quite consistent, with only four blank results on Sunday.

And then, I can't believe that a pilot, whoever he is, can lose all his mastery in such a short time. If the year 2025 starts tomorrow – almost, what a coincidence –, so, 2023 was yesterday.

Conclusion

Bezzecchi missed his 2024 campaign, it's undeniable. The numbers and the track give the same verdict, we cannot go against it. This is undeniably the biggest regression compared to the previous year, but strangely, I don't think it's more of a misstep than a real descent into hell. I could be wrong but I hope I'm right, because frank, raw, rock'n'roll and/or “old-fashioned” pilots are missing from the current landscape. He got lost, but I think he knows the way.

Am I being too nice to Bezzecchi? Tell me in the comments!

As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.