During a very difficult season with a KTM in Moto2 against the Kalex, Marco Bezzecchi was able to once again showcase his talent this weekend on a circuit that he particularly appreciates and which has often been favorable to him.
During his first Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi in Moto3 in 2017, the young Italian took third place on the podium with a Mahindra from Alain Bronec's CIP team, behind Roman Fenati on Honda Snipers and Niccolo Antonelli on KTM Ajo. It was by far his best result of the year, the only one in the top 10.
Last year, still in Moto3 but this time on a KTM from the Redox PruestelGP team, he took victory in Japan, as he had previously done in Argentina and Austria. He finished third in the Championship and first KTM rider.
He therefore moved to Moto2 this year, within the Var Red Bull KTM Tech 3 team. The situation was significantly less favorable, and it is no coincidence that there is only one KTM (the one of Brad Binder) including the top 10 in the Championship. Marco finished at best tenth in Assen and in Thailand, only managing to occupy 21st place in the provisional ranking when arriving in Motegi... where he found his smile again. Let's see with Florian Chiffoleau, his team leader at Tech 3, how this weekend went.
Florian, on Friday Marco ranked 17th on the first day, but only 0.743 behind the best time of Álex Márquez. Were you and Marco satisfied?
“Yes, we were satisfied because the gap to the best time was relatively small. So for us it was positive for a first day, knowing that during the first free practice session we were only able to do a few laps because we had a technical problem. Our performance over the whole day was therefore satisfactory compared to that of our competitors. »
Saturday, third in Q1, then eighth in Q2, it was your second best qualification of the year after Brno (sixth). Has being the best KTM rider – and the only one in the top 12 – given you confidence?
“Yes, absolutely, it gave us confidence thanks to Marco’s potential. In the rain, we know he is very strong and he showed it again during these qualifications, even if we hoped for a little better because we knew he could do a little better in the wet. But it was already a very good position and it would certainly have been a little harder to qualify better, so we could be satisfied with that. »
Before the race, did Marco think he could achieve his best result of the year so far, better than tenth like in Assen and Thailand?
“Yes, because he was quite confident and actually when he stopped during the race he said the bike was working very well. There were no negative points about the bike for him, so he was really very satisfied. »
“Before leaving, he was very confident. So his retirement was a real shame because he hoped to keep his position, or improve it a little to possibly aim for a top 7. It would have been possible, but unfortunately these are things that can happen. »
“We have to keep the positive side because we worked well this weekend and Marco showed good potential. »
How did the race go?
“He tried to defend his position at the start. He then remained in tenth position for a moment, then he made a few overtakes on Lecuona, Schrötter, Navarro and Chantra*. It went very well. He managed to get into the rhythm little by little. »
*Bezzecchi was in seventh position at the end of the fourth lap.
“But unfortunately on lap thirteen in Turn 3 he got sick and had to pull straight. After that, all chances of a good result were lost. »
What happened to him ?
“When he drank water from his camel back, he had a sort of big air bubble, a sort of burp, and suddenly he regurgitated. It blocked his breathing and that's why he had to go straight and couldn't leave immediately. »
Marco will ride next season for Sky Racing Team VR46. How is 2020 looking for you?
“2020 will be completely different for me because at the end of the season I will stop MotoGP competition. I'm going to change jobs. This is my twelfth competitive season, counting the two years I did in Superbike before the Grands Prix. »
“I want to change because this is truly a turning point in my life. I think I gave a lot in the competition! I prefer to stop while maintaining my passion for this profession, before losing my motivation. That's why I'm stopping at the end of the year. »
“I would have actually preferred to finish with a better place in the Championship, but despite everything it's interesting because we see progression during the year, and that's what is most important. »
What will your new activity be?
“At the moment, I haven’t yet found the company where I’m going to work. But it will be in industry, generally speaking, probably in automobiles or aviation. I'm looking for a project that motivates me for the future. »
Photos © Red Bull KTM Tech 3
