After making life difficult for Jorge Martin for the Moto3 world title throughout the season, with three victories in Argentina, Austria and Japan, Marco Bezzecchi moved up this winter to the Moto2 category at Tech 3, still on KTM and still with its French technical manager Florian Chiffoleau. The new outfit took off in Jerez this weekend.
On the first day, Bezzecchi set the 26th time on Friday, 2.2 behind the leader. On the second day, the young Transalpine climbed to 24th place, 2.1 behind the best time. Finally this Sunday, he achieved the 7th fastest time in the wet.
How did this discovery of Moto2 go for Marco, a rookie in the category? Was it satisfactory?
“It was quite satisfactory. He immediately found his good position on the bike, which was positive. The first laps were interesting, even if the weather was not good. We had conditions that were not very good on the first day for the first ride on this new bike. But overall it was positive.
“Then, as soon as it started to dry a little, we had to chat (editor’s note: parasitic vibrations of a wheel) like all KTM Moto2s this year. So we had to work to try to reduce it. As soon as it was reduced, Marco managed times which were suitable for his first laps.
“He then had to take a little time to modify his driving style and improve it to improve his times. »
What was the most difficult to assimilate?
“The most difficult thing for him to assimilate was the evolution of his riding style, because when exiting a corner you have to lift the bike when you open the throttle in Moto2. On the other hand, he had to be more relaxed on the bike, particularly in his upper body so as not to generate unwanted movements on the bike. This was the hardest part for Marco to deal with. »
With the arrival of the new Triumph unit, do repeat riders in the Moto2 category still have an advantage over riders coming from Moto3, compared to the not so distant era of 600CBR engines?
“I think they still have an advantage, although the riding style needs to be changed a bit because the Triumph engine is more torquey. On the other hand, they have the advantage of already knowing the category. The frames are little different in terms of rigidity. The tires are similar at the moment, although tests have been carried out with wider tires at the rear. Wider tires in 200 (editor’s note: 195 ago) at the rear gave rather positive results. »
What do you think of the new format for Moto3 and Moto2 qualifying, with the first 14 directly into Q2, then joined by the first 4 from Q1?
“I find it rather interesting. I would have liked to have had that in Moto3 this year in fact, because it might have made it possible to modify a lot of things in terms of the riders who are waiting to take the wheel of a fast rider. It was something that was really painful at times.
“I also find it better for the spectators because they have the same thing for all three categories. So the same visibility and the same format for the three classes, I find that interesting.
“For us at the team level, it will be a little more difficult to manage at the free practice level because it forces the drivers to give the best of themselves in all the sessions to qualify. »
In which areas does Marco Bezzecchi have the greatest progress to make?
“In his driving style, and more precisely as I said previously, in being more relaxed. He needs to be more relaxed and this is where we need to work. »
Photos Lukasz Swiderek (www.photoPSP.com) for Tech 3
