While he was among the protagonists barely a year ago, Marco Bezzecchi is struggling to emerge from the shadow of his colleagues at Ducati. In great difficulty on routes that suit him, he is far away, too far away to hope to play anything. Where is he really at? Can he return to Assen, where he shone last season? Let's look at his case.
Unrecognizable
At the time of Marc Marquez's announcement at Gresini Racing in 2023, Marco Bezzecchi made a controversial media outing. He placed himself ahead of him in the Ducati hierarchy, and the worst part, in my humble opinion, is that he was right. We must remember the pilot he was a short time ago. Three memorable victories in Argentina, Le Mans, and India. This was accompanied by very good speed in qualifying, but also excellent projection capacity during Sprints, as he demonstrated at Assen. As a rain specialist, he played with the elements, and began to firmly establish himself in the MotoGP landscape. We even dared the comparison with Marco Simoncelli – visual evidence – but which was understandable given the characters. In short, he was one of the men of the moment, one of the hottest topics.
And then, nothing more. Since the start of the season, it has been non-existent, in the first sense of the word. We no longer hear him, and apart from the podium acquired in Jerez – which does not represent an achievement considering the number of riders who have done the same since 2016, his talent and his bike – he has no great moment to his credit. active. He is good enough to stay around 11th place without falling to the bottom of the rankings.
He was the author of a nightmarish weekend at Le Mans, where he had lectured Jorge Martin and Johann Zarco during the previous Grand Prix. He only has one appearance in the points in Sprint while we are at seven rounds; and again, it is a ninth place. No pole, no best lap in the race. “Bez” is 11th in the general classification, 29 points behind his teammate Fabio DiGiannantonio, who discovers the VR46 environment in MotoGP.
“Diggia” is better in all compartments, and if he too has not really stood out like at the end of last season, he is showing progress, adapting to this Desmosedici GP23 which only seems to succeed for Marc Mark. In fact, Bezzecchi does not become bad, no, but just, anecdotal. It's the worst that could happen to a driver like him, who needs to be at the front to make his character exist.
In my opinion, this is the biggest regression between 2023 and 2024. Its rating is no longer the same, that’s obvious.
The fall
At the beginning of the year, I considered his decision to stay at VR46 Ducati rather daring, because it meant, with a Pramac Racing offer on the table, that he thought he could do better with this material, to always remain in the juicy conversations. Half a season later, it's not the case.
Who is talking about Marco Bezzecchi in this busy transfer period? Person. Who mentions his case compared to that of Marc Marquez, Enea Bastianini and Jorge Martin, even though he had the talent to beat them? No more people. Even Di Giannantonio showed up a few times, that’s saying something. His case is the very illustration that speed is the key. No matter your place in the general, you have to win, play in front. Otherwise, it's oblivion. International production is focused more than ever on the former – and Pedro Acosta. We simply don't see Bezzecchi anymore. To no longer see it is to no longer think about it. It's the same for teams. How many solid drivers but absent from the forefront have not had the career they deserved? And again, Marco is not even that consistent in his performance anymore.
I think he chose to renew with his team to try, later, to reach the official team. But from now on, he can only claim his own inheritance, and worse, he could consider himself lucky if that is the case in view of the people who are pushing at the door. Fermin Aldeguer (under contract with Ducati but without any assigned team) is a serious candidate, also already mentioned at the end of 2023, just like others who would like to relaunch with Ducati training. He is not immune. At the time of writing, some rumors send him to Aprilia, but nothing concrete.
get up
I had said, in a previous analysis concerning him, that talent was not lost in such a short time. I remain convinced that if he manages to master his package, and above all, if he does not get injured trying to make it work, he can regain his rank, or almost. The results of his 2023 season were perhaps too well paid, but he is certainly not beyond 10th place in the MotoGP hierarchy.
I'm convinced he can come back. Photo: Michelin Motorsport
However, I have trouble seeing any improvement on his side. The gap with the GP24 will only increase; the one with Marc Marquez also. The dynamic is much better for Di Giannantonio, who is really progressing. Casually, we are approaching mid-season. It won't be long before he wakes up, and I'm counting on him to do so in Assen: a circuit that perfectly matches his driving style, which is best expressed in large curves and other flat braking.
What did you think of his start to the season, and do you think he's still worth as much on the market? Tell me in the comments!
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
