Marco Bezzecchi
Marco Bezzecchi collided with Marc Marquez in the early stages of the Indonesian Grand Prix. The pair have been left needing check-ups after what was a horrible crash.
Bezzecchi won the Sprint race from pole position, climbing back through the field after a poor start left him P8 by the first corner. The Aprilia rider took advantage of Ducati’s struggles; Fermin Aldeguer was the only representative from the Borgo Panigale outfit to qualify on the first two rows.
Marquez could only manage P9 in qualifying after he crashed twice in practice. He came home to finish sixth in the Sprint, but it was far from a smooth race as Marquez had to serve a long-lap penalty for running Alex Rins off the track.
Dani Pedrosa disagreed with Marquez’s penalty, as he did not think his move on Rins was excessive. In the Indonesian Grand Prix, it was the 32-year-old who ran off the track as he suffered a violent accident with Bezzecchi at turn seven.
Neil Hodgson slams Marco Bezzecchi’s ‘strange decision’ in Marc Marquez crash at Mandalika
Bezzecchi had another slow start off the grid as he fell into the midfield. The Aprilia rider found himself behind Marquez as he tried to make his way back through the field, as he had done in the Sprint.
However, as he followed the Ducati rider through turn seven, he collided with Marquez’s rear wheel, sending the pair barreling into the gravel. The Spaniard looked to have sustained a serious injury to his right arm as he was seen holding it after the crash.
MotoGP fans felt Bezzecchi should have been penalised for the incident, and Neil Hodgson was also unimpressed with the Aprilia star. Speaking via TNT Sports 2 (5/10, 8:07 am), he scolded Bezzecchi’s ‘strange decision’ to try and make an overtake on that corner.
“What a bad move that was. It’s one line through there, you cannot overtake!” he exclaimed.
“He was not alongside. I’ve never seen anyone even try and pass there. It was a strange decision from the cool customer, Marco Bezzecchi.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Marco Bezzecchi from net worth to race number
Marco Bezzecchi has ‘no fractures’ after Mandalika crash with Marc Marquez
Alex Marquez fumed over the gravel traps at Mandalika as he watched his brother and Bezzecchi crash. He had ‘strong words’ as he watched the pair roll across the ground and require check-ups in hospital.
Marquez feels he has torn ligaments in his right collarbone, which Michael Laverty says can be ‘career-ending at times’. It was reported, although unconfirmed, that Bezzecchi was knocked unconscious in the crash.
The Aprilia rider was taken to Mataram hospital for a more ‘comprehensive examination’. Thankfully, he was found to have no fractures, which could see him return to action sooner.
Aprilia cannot afford to lose the 26-year-old, with Jorge Martín already sidelined with a broken collarbone from Motegi. It has been an injury-ravaged season for the Noale outfit; they will not want any more setbacks.
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