Marco Bezzecchi
Neil Hodgson has warned Marco Bezzecchi about a ‘problem’ he has that could potentially cost the Aprilia rider his chance at securing a maiden MotoGP title this season.
The Italian rider has been in fine form during the Sunday afternoon Grands Prix, but is still lacking some consistency in the shorter format Sprint races. He has featured on the podium in six of the seven longer-format races so far in 2026, but only once in the Sprints.
Will Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin fall out at Aprilia this year?
Massimo Rivola's riders could go head-to-head for the title!
Title rival and Aprilia counterpart, Jorge Martin, is experiencing the polar opposite. He has been the most impressive rider in the Sprint format so far this year, but has left a lot of points on the table through his inability to replicate the strong form on Sundays.
Bezzecchi remains in control of the championship heading into the Hungarian Grand Prix this weekend, but his lead remains fragile as he holds just 17 points over Martin in the drivers’ standings.
Neil Hodgson says Marco Bezzecchi is lacking ‘explosive’ tendencies in MotoGP
During his column for TNT Sports ahead of this weekend’s meaningful sessions at the Hungarian Grand Prix, MotoGP pundit Neil Hodgson outlined his latest predictions in terms of the championship landscape.
Despite Bezzecchi still holding the lead of the MotoGP standings upon his arrival at Balaton Park, the Italian’s Aprilia teammate, Martin, is still Hodgson’s favourite to claim the title at the end of the year.
Pedro Acosta set a dominant pace in practice at the Hungarian GP 😮💨 Who will join the top 10 for Q2?
“For now, though, I see Jorge Martin as the favourite for the championship,” he wrote. “I think Martin is still only now working on how to get the best from his bike. I think Bezzecchi is riding at the absolute limit right now, but Martin has more to give.
“Marco is leading the championship, so you can hardly say he’s doing much wrong, but I do worry that he does not have the balance right.”
Hodgson previously outlined how Martin must figure out his one-lap pace in qualifying if he is to claim another world title in the sport, but for Bezzecchi, his biggest ‘problem’ is his lack of explosiveness on a MotoGP bike.
“He appears to pour all his energy into getting things set up to dominate on Sundays, which means he’s leaving points on the table in the Saturday Sprints,” the former MotoGP rider continued.
“The problem is, he’s not an explosive rider. Martin, in Sprints, even if he hasn’t qualified well, he goes hell for leather from the off. Bezzecchi just isn’t that character, so I don’t know just how much change will come naturally for him, if it comes at all.”
- READ MORE: MotoGP experts predict the Hungarian Grand Prix with Marc Marquez tipped for success at Balaton Park
#72 has widely been regarded as one of the most reserved riders inside the MotoGP paddock, adding to the enigma of his supreme skill on two wheels.
However, if he continues to rack up strong results in the Grand Prix, he could be well on his way to a first world championship in the sport.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
