Marco Bezzecchi
Marco Bezzecchi has received a double long-lap penalty for the Australian Grand Prix after his crash with Marc Marquez at Mandalika.
The FIM confirmed the penalty on Thursday for the Aprilia rider. Bezzecchi will have to serve two long laps during the Australian GP, which, barring a chaotic race, takes him out of contention.
The Italian collided with Marquez at turn seven on the opening lap at Mandalika. He attempted to make up ground after a poor start from pole position, but got his timing all wrong while trying to pass the 2025 MotoGP champion.
Bezzecchi hit the back of Marquez’s bike, sending the pair into the gravel trap in a violent crash, with the latter bearing the brunt of it. The Ducati rider has been ruled out for the next two rounds, with test rider Michele Pirro replacing him at Phillip Island.
MotoGP fans think Marco Bezzecchi should have got a race ban for his crash with Marc Marquez
Neil Hodgson felt Bezzecchi’s crash with Marquez was ‘strange’ as he had never seen a rider try to make an overtake around turn seven in Indonesia. The incident left the Spaniard with ligament fractures in his right collarbone, with Marquez’s doctor predicting a 16-week recovery.
Bezzecchi suffered bruises in the crash but was cleared to race at Phillip Island. He will have a double long-lap penalty, but MotoGP fans think he got off lightly as they reacted to the news on X (formerly Twitter).
“Well, it turned out to be cheap for him,” said one fan. Another fan was left confused as they wrote: “This is the penalty he gets? Are you for real?”
Many were in agreement that Bezzecchi should have been banned for the Australian GP. One user said: “Takes a rider out for the rest of the season and all he gets is a double long lap? Should be a race ban,” while another echoed: “I want him to be banned in MotoGP.”
“What?! He got off very easy. This should have been a ride through penalty at least or even a race ban,” said another disgruntled fan.
Finally, one fan even argued that Bezzecchi should be banned for two races, seeing as Marquez is ruled out for the next two events: “Are you kidding me?? Just a double long penalty for such a big crime?? It should be at least 2 races ban. Marc is also missing 2 races because of him.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Marco Bezzecchi from net worth to race number
How does Marc Marquez feel about Marco Bezzecchi after Mandalika crash?
Marquez and Bezzecchi have a history in MotoGP when it comes to colliding on track. It was perhaps expected that the two would clash, given that the latter is part of the VR46 academy, led by the former’s nemesis, Valentino Rossi.
It was previously said that Bezzecchi held the ‘biggest grudge’ over Marquez in MotoGP. The pair collided in Valencia in 2023, leaving the Aprilia rider, then at VR46, furious with the Ant of Cervera.
Marquez and Bezzecchi used to absolutely hate each other, but the crash at Mandalika marked a change in their relationship. The former tried to calm things down by telling fans not to hurl abuse at the latter on social media.
Marquez accepted Bezzecchi’s apology after he came to him straight after the race. It seems the duo have some newfound respect for one another.
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