Let's talk MotoGP: This rider is sinking

This season, international production is quite focused on the former. Indeed, it is rare to see, on screen, drivers fighting for a few points. As a result, some have completely disappeared from radar, and this is the case of the one we are going to study today. Because yes, Marco Bezzecchi, three times winner in MotoGP, is sinking. His recent results are absolutely unworthy of what he proposed last year. Let's look at his case.

An overseas tour to forget

The dynamic of his season is quite strangebut overall, no one will be surprised to hear him say that he cannot get the measure of his Ducati Desmosedici GP23. He was sometimes good, like at Jerez or Misano, and he seemed to return to more honorable positions once the halfway point of the season passed. But since the second leg of the overseas tour, he can't do it.

His last good race was in Indonesia. Fourth in the Sprint and fifth in the Grand Prix, he stood out for his solidity, but was not heckled. Namely that it is a track which is favorable to him, he had been excellent there in 2023 also despite an injury. But since then, it's the Bérézina. Seventh, 20 seconds behind the winner in Japan, author of a generational blunder at Phillip Island – followed by another the next day… it only got worse.

In Thailand, he was forced to retire, while his teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio, injured for his last Grand Prix, missed the podium for a few laps. His seventh place in the Sprint in Buriram represents his last appearance in the points in this format, the only one in four races. And that was nothing compared to Malaysia. Having qualified only 14th on the grid at Sepang, a few falls in front of him allowed him to finish ninth, but not without having crossed swords with… Johann Zarco! Yes yes, the photo exists. The two bikes are not supposed to play in the same yard.

In the standings, this translates into a frankly worrying situation: he is 12th overall, 21 points behind his teammate “Diggia” absent in Malaysia. Realize: Bezzecchi, who knows the VR46 environment like the back of his hand, triple winner in 2023 – and in what way – has a good chance of not catching up with Di Giannantonio in the standings as the latter will have three fewer races contested over the season. It's crazy, and it's even sad.

Unclear reasons

Marco Bezzecchi has sometimes mentioned his problems with the GP23, but overall, he describes the same thing as Marc Marquez, who is doing well. We agree that the GP23 is now quite far from the GP24 in terms of performance, but it remains a very good machine as proven by “Diggia” in Thailand and Alex Marquez in Malaysia.

On the technical side, he mentions excessive understeer, due to abnormal pressure from the rear to the front when entering turns. In his words, “all the drivers on GP23 complain about it” except that not all GP23 drivers have such disappointing races.

Too bad for the show

This descent into hell saddens me quite a bit. Although I'm not a fan of any particular driver, I like Marco Bezzecchi for his outspokenness, his character, his character. He doesn't hesitate to go into conflict, to say what he thinks. In an era governed by media training and other facade courtesies, it's sometimes good to hear it, even if it's to say something outrageous. In our world, perfection fascinates, but it is precisely the errors and hesitations that sublimate human nature. I digress.

Anyway, for me who dreams of a rivalry, I think Marco Bezzecchi is one of the only ones who can host one that is interestingspicy, in addition to being beautiful on the track. And obviously, we can't assert ourselves more when we play ninth and tenth places, as you will have understood.

You have to be careful

Let's say that this end of the season doesn't matter much for Marco, ultimately. After all, he has already signed with Aprilia for next year as an official rider. Maybe this challenge will wake him up, but he shouldn't stay asleep indefinitely. alongside a monster like Jorge Martin. The Spaniard, who could take with him the number 1 on his fairing, will have the ambition to take Aprilia to another dimension. So, Bezzecchi's place could end up costing more, that's logical. If he does not respond quickly to the challenge imposed on him by the “Martinator”, understand, he underperforms on a machine capable of playing for victories, there is little chance that he will have a great career under the Noale awning.

Everything goes quickly in MotoGP, I will never stop saying it. And the example of Marco Bezzecchi, one of the most fascinating only twelve months ago, is glaring. However, I trust himbut we will have the opportunity to talk about it in more detail at the start of next season.

What do you think of Marco Bezzecchi and his season so far? Tell me in the comments!

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

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport