Sylvain Guintoli concerned that Marco Bezzecchi can’t handle pressure like ‘phenomenon’ Marc Marquez

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Marco Bezzecchi has emerged as a genuine favourite for the 2026 MotoGP title, but premier class pundit Sylvain Guintoli has raised concerns over the Italian rider’s ability to handle pressure when it comes to those key moments that decide championships.

Marco Bezzecchi’s rise to a frontrunning MotoGP rider has been a curious one. Unlike the majority of riders who come up through the different classes of Grand Prix motorcycle racing, the Italian has yet to win a single world title.

Instead, he has built a career out of hard work and determination, as well as his ties to Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Riders’ Academy.

Despite never finishing higher than third-place in any of the championships he has previously contested, Bezzecchi emerged as a candidate for a MotoGP crown last season, where it became clear that he had built a formidable partnership with Aprilia.

His win at the 2026 MotoGP season-opener in Buriram marked his third consecutive victory in the premier class, and he has since been dubbed as the man to beat as Ducati’s chokehold on the premier class seemingly dwindles.

• READ MORE: Marco Bezzecchi hints he isn’t ‘afraid’ of fighting Marc Marquez for the 2026 MotoGP title

Sylvain Guintoli questions Marco Bezzecchi’s abilities under pressure in MotoGP

During a question-and-answer video on his official YouTube channel, former MotoGP rider Sylvain Guintoli was asked about Bezzecchi’s chances of securing a maiden premier class title this year.

The Frenchman noted that he is one of the favourites, but also highlighted an issue that Aprilia may face if the Italian rider finds himself in the midst of a high-pressure title fight.

“They are really in a positive spiral, and that is very important for a rider psychologically,” Guintoli said. “Especially for a rider like Bezzecchi, because Bezzecchi isn’t someone who’s racked up victories or who’s racked up titles already.

“He’s not some Moto2/Moto3 phenomenon who just rose to prominence. He’s a hard worker. He’s getting there little by little.

“So, I’d say that psychologically, this phase with Aprilia last year, where they really progressed and where there seems to be a very positive energy in the team, is extremely important for a guy like Bezzecchi.

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“It’s extremely important that he feels supported, that he feels comfortable, because we know he can make mistakes. We saw that in the sprint race at Buriram.

“And we know that this pressure is going to be tough for him. In any case, he’s much less used to this pressure than a champion like Marc Marquez, for example.”

• READ MORE: Ducati now have ‘doubts’ about being ‘one step ahead’ in MotoGP after Aprilia’s Buriram dominance

Valentino Rossi thinks Marco Bezzecchi will struggle to beat Marc Marquez to a MotoGP title

As one of the few riders left on the grid from MotoGP’s most recent golden era, Marquez has a level of experience that many competitors can only wish for.

Rossi has first-hand experience of how Marquez performs under pressure, and the Italian isn’t optimistic about Bezzecchi’s chances of dethroning the reigning world champion if Aprilia don’t arrive at every race weekend with the best bike on the grid.

Still, former MotoGP star Alex Barros thinks that Bezzecchi will benefit from having Rossi in his corner when he goes toe-to-toe with Marquez.

While Rossi never managed to get the better of Marquez in the hunt for a title, he certainly knows how to get under the Spaniard’s skin when things start to get tense, and that could certainly work in Bezzecchi’s favour.