Marco Bezzecchi
MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi has played an integral part in the development of some of the best Italian riders in the sport over the years, and Marco Bezzecchi has revealed how the seven-time premier class champion’s advice once helped him to get the better of Jorge Martin in 2018.
Rossi founded the VR46 Riders Academy after the death of his first protege and close friend, Marco Simoncelli, in 2011 and has used it to nurture young Italian talent on their racing journey atop two wheels.
Since then, the legendary rider has helped the likes of Bezzecchi, Francesco Bagnaia, and Franco Morbidelli, among others, on their way to the premier class.
Rossi had the privilege of racing against his students during the latter stages of his career, and once disclosed why it was more intense racing against Morbidelli, as opposed to racing against Bagnaia.
Valentino Rossi’s helpful advice aided Marco Bezzecchi in his final Moto3 win in 2018
Rossi’s advice to Bezzecchi came before the Aprilia rider’s debut in the premier class, while he was competing in the Moto3 category in 2018. Bezzecchi was locked into a title fight with his now-MotoGP rivals, Jorge Martin and Fabio Di Giannantonio.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Non Fa Una Piega podcast, the four-time Grand Prix winner recalled Rossi’s words, saying, “There is a tip that Vale once gave me, which was, look, you don’t have to invent anything, do what you know and trust me, you’ll do well.
“And he told me that several times, but once in particular, that we were in Japan in 2018, and I had crashed in the previous race.
“That year, I was battling with Martin and had lost a ton of points, and I was at minus 26 with a few races left, and we were going to Japan after a good weekend.
“I was very nervous for the race, but I had seen Vale before the race, and he told me, ‘Look, don’t invent anything, go do what you know, and it will go well.’
“I won the race and Martin fell, unfortunately for him, but in that moment, for me it was nice luck because I had recovered 25 points and from minus 26, I went to minus one, and so that definitely was a nice moment, some nice advice.”
After clawing his way back from the deficit in the standings, Bezzecchi unfortunately retired from the following race in Australia. The Italian went on to finish third in the championship, behind eventual winner Martin and Di Giannantonio in second.
READ MORE: What tearful Jorge Martin said in Aprilia meeting after colliding with Marco Bezzecchi at Motegi
Jorge Martin suffered another injury setback after colliding with Marco Bezzecchi at the Japanese Grand Prix
After his title-winning campaign last season, Martin has had to deal with a swathe of injuries during the 2025 MotoGP season.
The season kicked off with the Spaniard absent from the grid for the opening three rounds due to injuries sustained in a pre-season testing crash in Sepang.
Returning to action at the Qatar Grand Prix, Martin was involved in another crash that resulted in him receiving 11 fractured ribs and a punctured lung.
After missing a further seven rounds of racing, the reigning world champion made his second comeback of the year at the Czech Republic Grand Prix in July.
Things looked to be going smoothly for Martin as he continued to get back to full fitness following a string of races without issues.
However, Martin has been sidelined again following an incident at the Japanese Grand Prix, which saw him take out his Aprilia teammate at the opening corner of the Sprint race and break his collarbone in the process.
It is yet to be confirmed how long he will be out of action, and with the final few rounds of the season viewed as a preparation phase for a title bid in 2026, his plans may need reevaluating.
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