On Sunday at Mandalika, the Indonesian track turned from a dream into a nightmare for Aprilia. While Marco Bezzecchi arrived as the favorite after a resounding sprint victory, the main race turned into a disaster: a bad start, a fatal error, and the crash of the brand new world champion Marc Marquez.
A few hours after the accident, Massimo rivola, race director ofAprilia, appeared before the media. His voice was firm but tinged with regret: the incident is not only a sporting blow, it also leaves an embarrassing mark on the Noale brand.
Bezzecchi, poleman, had already shown on Saturday that he could come back from a whole pack to win. But on Sunday, everything started badly: a missed start, the Ducati factory Marc Marquez just in front of him, contact with the rear wheel... and the two men fall.
The consequences were serious: Marc Marquez Mandalika left with a broken collarbone and damaged shoulder ligaments. The champion will undergo further tests upon his return to Spain, and surgery is now possible. Bezzecchi He escaped without any fractures but with persistent pain, aggravated by his crash in Motegi two weeks earlier.
The paddock held its breath: seeing the seven-time world champion injured after he had just officially secured a new title is never trivial.
Massimo Rivola tries to put out the fire: public apologies and mea culpa on behalf of Aprilia
In front of the press, Massimo rivola did not shirk his moral responsibility:
« We have to apologize to Marc. Okay, it's part of the race, but it is always very unpleasant to witness an accident and be involved yourself. So I apologize to him and his team.. Marc, please accept this apology. »
The boss ofaprilia-racing even confided that he had personally apologized to Davide Tardozzi, the manager of DucatiA rare approach at this level, a sign that the Italian factory takes the hanging very seriously.
Rivola does not hide his frustration: " This is something we absolutely wanted to avoid. Marco clearly had the pace to come back without taking any risksUnfortunately, when the gaps are tiny and all the drivers are fighting to the limit, strategy sometimes takes a back seat. »
This crash is all the more bitter because theAprilia RS-GP was the fastest bike of the weekend. Raul fernandez, the only survivor, finished 6th while Bezzecchi had the potential to play for victory.
« Our bike was really fast here. It's a shame we only had two riders on the grid and Marco couldn't fulfil his potential. »Regrets Rivola.
The boss also wanted to defend the safety of the Indonesian circuit, despite the concerns expressed by some drivers after the clash: " Honestly, it's not a dangerous circuit. The run-off areas are good, the crash was violent, but that's racing. »
This episode could weigh heavily on Marco Bezzecchi. The pilot Aprilia is experiencing a pivotal moment in his career, after choosing to leave the fold VR46 for an official project meant to propel him among the title contenders. Expectations were enormous after his masterful sprint on Saturday. Sunday's crash resurfaces doubts about his handling of starts and pressure situations.
For Aprilia, it's a setback for the image: a dominant bike, a favorite rider, but a catastrophic result and an injured world champion. Rivola did well to apologize quickly, but it won't be enough to erase the frustration in Ducati and fans of Marquez.
This case is a reminder that MotoGP, despite its mind-blowing technical level, remains a sport where adrenaline can sweep away tactics in an instant. Bezzecchi had everything to transform Mandalika into a triumph… he leaves with a crash that tarnishes his image and puts Aprilia in a delicate posture.
As for Marquez, his exemplary attitude — calling on his fans not to attack Bezzecchi — contrasts with the surrounding tension and further reinforces his champion aura.
Indonesian Grand Prix Standings MotoGP :
