Marco Bezzecchi on Martin: “In his situation, I’d do the same!”

Following his Grand Prix victory in Indonesia, Marco Bezzecchi finished fourth in the MotoGP Sprint in Australia. Due to the cancellation of the main race at Phillip Island, the Aprilia rider was unable to pick up any further points in the overall standings. Bezzecchi is currently third in the World Championship standings with four Grands Prix remaining this year. He trails leader Marc Marquez (Ducati) by 50 points. His team-mate Jorge Martin, who suffered a fracture to his right wrist in Australia, has a 40-point lead over the Italian.

This weekend sees the Malaysian Grand Prix. How does Bezzecchi rate his chances in the title race? “It’s clear that I want to be in the title race for as long as it’s mathematically possible. So it’s better not to lose too many points here,” said Bezzecchi at the opening press conference on Thursday. “But it won’t be easy, because everyone is very fast – Marc and Jorge. I’ll try to give my best in every session and be competitive.”

Bezzecchi on Ducati: “I appreciate what they’ve said and how they feel about me”

Ducati-Lenovo team manager Davide Tardozzi said in Australia that a 50-point lead is nothing at all and that Bezzecchi has the potential to win all the remaining races. Ducati has high hopes for the Aprilia rider in the season finale. “I appreciate that, but it’s not quite true. 50 points are 50 points – it’s not nothing,” Bezzecchi said with a smile. “Anything can happen in the races. But I really appreciate what they said and what they think of me.”

Bezzecchi has never made it onto the podium at Sepang before. However, during the test in February, he was the second-fastest rider behind Alex Márquez. Does ‘Bez’ think he can have more success in the races this year? “I don’t know. But even last year, we felt better in pre-season than we did at the race weekend. That’s why our expectations aren’t that high, and I don’t want to think about it too much,” the 27-year-old said, waving the idea aside. “I just want to get on the bike and see how I feel. Sure, the winter test went very well, but a test is a test – a race weekend is a different story.”

Bezzecchi on Martin: “If he feels good, he’ll be quick too”

Jorge Martin was given the green light on Thursday during his medical check-up in Malaysia to take part in the first free practice session on Friday. After that, the ‘Martinator’ will have to undergo another medical examination. The Spaniard will attempt to compete in the race weekend with a broken wrist because he is in the title race. His Aprilia team-mate is sympathetic to his situation. “I’m glad he’s here. In his situation, I’d do the same,” assured Bezzecchi. “If he feels good, he’ll be quick too.”

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The Qatar Grand Prix takes place a week after the Malaysian Grand Prix. The MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group intends to go ahead with the race weekend in the Doha desert. The situation in the Middle East remains uncertain, which is why not all riders are enthusiastic about it. “I trust the organisers – their decision is based on many factors. It’s not for us to discuss and not something we should be talking about here,” was Bezzecchi’s brief response on the matter.