Marco Bezzecchi had a commendable performance during the Indonesia Grand Prix weekend. Just a week ago, the Mooney VR46 rider fractured his clavicle at Valentino Rossi’s ranch. After undergoing surgery, he received medical clearance within five days to fly to Mandalika. Bezzecchi arrived at the circuit on Friday morning, just in time for the first practice sessions.
He secured third place in the practice sessions, earning a direct spot in Saturday’s Q2. Starting from ninth, Bezzecchi battled through difficulties to secure a podium finish in the Sprint Race, finishing behind Jorge Martín and Luca Marini. On Sunday, the race conditions and duration posed a greater challenge, but he managed to finish in fifth place. After the race, he shared his thoughts on how he managed the day.
Bezzecchi showed satisfaction with his performance in Indonesia: ‘It wasn’t easy, but I am satisfied with the weekend. I managed to defend myself well during the race and recovered some points compared to Martín. I shouldn’t even have come to Indonesia, but here I am. Physically, I felt a bit bad, but I did my best. My goal now is to recover in the next few days and be ready for Australia’.
He also commented on Martín’s mistake and Bagnaia’s victory in Mandalika: ‘I didn’t want Martín to be upset, but these kinds of incidents are part of racing. I am happy for Pecco and feel sad for Jorge. Both are formidable competitors and I look forward to seeing them at the front in the upcoming races. When I saw Martín fall, I didn’t know he was leading. Later I saw on the big screen’.
His team celebrated the achievement in the pits: ‘On Sunday morning, I asked my team to applaud me on each lap, because I really needed it. I was fighting hard. I couldn’t fully enjoy the moment because I felt very bad, but their support was incredible. I felt pain in my neck, muscles, and shoulder, which caused some unusual sensations during the race’.
Before preparing for Australia, Bezzecchi has a clear plan: ‘Initially, I wanted to take a conservative approach. But in MotoGP, we can’t afford that luxury. As soon as I felt better, I focused on managing the tires and maintaining my pace’.
As the MotoGP season continues, riders like Bezzecchi remind us of the pure determination and passion that drives them to push their limits, even when faced with physical challenges. The resilience and spirit of these athletes are truly commendable, and fans around the world eagerly await the next race, anticipating more thrilling moments on the track.
