Bezzecchi expresses anger towards “most unsportsmanlike rider” Marquez following Valencia MotoGP incident

Marquez and Bezzecchi Clash in Grand Prix Opener

In a dramatic opening lap of the grand prix, riders Marc Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi collided at Turn 3, resulting in Bezzecchi crashing out of the race. The incident was investigated but no further action was taken by race direction.

The Accusations Fly

Furious with Marquez’s move, Bezzecchi labeled it as “dirty” and suggested that race direction always shows leniency towards Marquez. He expressed his frustration, stating, “Marquez decided to end my race on the third corner.”

Bezzecchi went on to claim that this wasn’t the first time Marquez had made such aggressive moves against him. He pointed out previous incidents in Thailand and Le Mans where he felt targeted by Marquez’s riding style.

Expressing disappointment with decision-making process, Bezzecchi remarked that replays of the incident were not shown during broadcast coverage. He believed that if viewers had seen them from different angles, they would have understood how dangerous it was.

Accusations Against Race Direction

Bezzecchi accused race direction of consistently being lenient towards Marquez when dealing with similar incidents involving other riders. He argued that penalties should be given when a rider causes another to crash early on in a race.

The Italian rider attempted to voice his concerns directly to stewards but claimed they showed no interest in listening or engaging with him. Even Carlos Ezpeleta, who oversees racing operations for Dorna Sports (the governing body), allegedly did not respond to his attempts at communication.

A Tense Future?

Looking ahead to 2024 when Marquez joins Gresini, Bezzecchi expressed doubt that the Spaniard would race fairly with other Ducati riders. He declared that he was prepared to respond in kind, not caring about potential consequences.

Marquez’s Defense

Marquez defended his actions during the incident, asserting that Bezzecchi had pushed him out on multiple occasions throughout the season. He explained their clash as a result of both riders trying to maintain position through turns 3 and 4.

The Spanish rider dismissed any intentions of dwelling on the issue, stating he wouldn’t waste time concerning himself with Bezzecchi anymore.