Marco Bezzecchi
Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marc Marquez put on a clinic for hard, but fair, wheel-to-wheel racing at the Brazilian Grand Prix yesterday, and the Italian rider has detailed what he learned from getting the better of the seven-time MotoGP world champion.
As Marco Bezzecchi raced off into the distance at the start of the Brazilian Grand Prix, all of the action seemed to come behind as Jorge Martin, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marc Marquez scrapped it out for a spot on the rostrum.
It was Martin and Di Giannantonio who prevailed until the end, with Marquez still on the hunt for his first Grand Prix podium of the 2026 MotoGP season. The VR46 star’s P3 also marked Ducati’s first podium of the year in the longer format.
Aprilia grab a 1-2 as Fabio Di Giannantonio beats Marc Marquez to the Brazilian GP podium 👏 but who was your Rider of the Race?
Not many riders get the better of the seven-time premier class title-winner in a straight fight, so the Italian’s feat in Brazil was a sight to behold. Especially after Marquez put one over on Di Giannantonio for the Sprint race win on the day prior.
- READ MORE: Dani Pedrosa thinks Marc Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi have now begun a ‘psychological war’ in MotoGP
Fabio Di Giannantonio studied ‘precise’ Marc Marquez at the Brazilian GP to learn his weaknesses
During his debrief with the media following his P3 finish at the Brazilian Grand Prix, Di Giannantonio was asked about his lengthy duel with the Spaniard. The Italian rider highlighted how he was able to analyse his rival’s weaknesses during the close-fought battle.
He said, via La Gazzetta dello Sport, “Marc is very precise; he knows exactly when to use his energy and where. He manages his effort really well throughout the lap.
“He’s always pushing, but he has incredible control over the bike, especially during those slightly riskier manoeuvres he often pulls off, even when riding alone.
“And then he’s definitely got something extra on the left-handers. I’m trying to work out how he does it, but it’s not easy. Let’s just say I’ve picked up a lot of ideas.”
Marco Bezzecchi on top after two rounds 👀 Will he still be at the top by the end of the season, though? 🤔
Let us know in the comments below!
The VR46 star also detailed how much it meant to him to be able to get the better of such an accomplished rider of Marquez’s stature in a straight fight.
“Yesterday he came out on top by winning the race, but today I did, by finishing on the podium,” Di Giannantonio added.
“Winning the race is much better! Still, I’m happy because battling it out with such a strong and experienced rider is a real challenge, and you learn a lot from it.”
Marc Marquez was furious after losing out to Fabio Di Giannantonio at the Brazilian GP
It was another fairly difficult Grand Prix for the factory Ducati team in Brazil, and they now sit in fifth place in the teams’ championship with 44 points. Bezzecchi’s consecutive Grand Prix routs see Aprilia at the top with 101 points to their name.
Marc Marquez was reportedly furious after the chequered flag in Goiania, with MotoGP pundit Neil Hodgson highlighting how he has rarely seen the 33-year-old show such strong emotions after a difficult race.
On the other side of the factory Ducati garage, Francesco Bagnaia had yet another weekend to forget. The Italian was racing outside of the top 10 before his crash in the Grand Prix, and has added just 10 points to Marquez’s 34 in the teams’ standings.
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