Marco Bezzecchi
Marco Bezzecchi has had the hopes of the entire Aprilia MotoGP resting on his shoulders for two months after his teammate suffered a major crash at pre-season testing.
Reigning champion Jorge Martin was set to be a major coup for the team, arriving from Pramac over the winter after beating Francesco Bagnaia to the 2024 championship.
Just laps into his Aprilia debut, he flew off his bike twice and the second time it had disastrous consequences. He fractured bones in his hand and feet which ruled him out of the first three events.
For Bezzecchi, it has meant that he is the only rider capable of securing a solid haul of points with test rider Lorenzo Savadori trotting around at the back of the MotoGP pack.
According to Martin, Bezzecchi is the ‘best rider’ for a reference because the two follow similar setup paths on their bikes.
Testing showed some promising signs before Bezzecchi warned Aprilia about a ‘problem’ at the season-opener in Thailand. Thankfully their heat issues have not persisted.
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Marco Bezzecchi admits he is ‘in trouble’ during MotoGP qualifying for Aprilia
Fortunately, the surprise ascension of Ai Ogura has helped to put points on the board for Aprilia, who may be in fifth in the constructors’ standings if it wasn’t for the Trackhouse star.
It shows how much responsbility has been placed on Bezzecchi to bring results home. He has done a solid job with two sixth-places and an unfortunate first-lap retirement in Argentina.
The Italian rider is aware that there is one part of his weekend that needs to improve, despite sitting eighth in the championship.
“In time attacks, I’m finding myself a bit more in trouble compared to past seasons,” he said.
“I feel always quite good, with used tyres, and then when I put new tyres on I always struggle to make a big step. So this is something I have to improve together with my team.”
Why Marco Bezzecchi should be even faster at the Grand Prix of Qatar
Martin’s return to Aprilia in Qatar should be a massive bonus for his team and teammate, who require a bit of a boost.
While he obviously isn’t at 100% fitness, his feedback and speed should be able to help them compete a bit more than they have been.
Having that extra advice should help to elevate Bezzecchi’s performance and it may be what he needs to improve in time attack.
If Jorge arrives and struggles on new tyres, then it likely points to a problem with the bike rather than their two talented riders.
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