Marco Bezzecchi has regained his leadership among the rookies in MotoGP which his compatriot and Ducati brand colleague Fabio Di Giannantonio seemed to be contesting with more and more fierceness. But in Assen, at the end of qualifying, there was no photo: the academician VR46 was indeed the fastest. Fourth on the starting grid, he now has the arguments to do better than the top 5 recorded at the last Italian Grand Prix as the best race result in the category...
Marco Bezzecchi shone during these qualifications of the Dutch Grand Prix, but listening to him, he surprised himself. So much so that for the race that is to follow, he does not venture to make a prediction about his chances… “ Yes, it wasn't bad “, commented the VR46 pilot on her brilliant performance. “ It was a fun qualifier. I really enjoy driving on this circuit, and fortunately I was also fast. It was good ».
Considered by many as a legendary track, is the TT circuit as good in the dry on a MotoGP as the 23-year-old Italian expected? “ Even better ", smiles Bezzecchi. " The track is fantastic, especially with the new tarmac they put in two years ago. The corners are incredible and I like the exit of turn 5 for example. The slight right turn is fantastic. But it's also normal to have more fun when you feel good ».
The best rookie of the first part of the season does not really have an explanation for his rapid adaptation to the “queen class”. One thing is certain: “ I like the bike, I felt good straight away. The bike gives me good confidence up front and that makes things a little easier. I also did two or three days of testing without forcing myself, in order to understand what I need from my body and my bike to feel good. And then when I felt pretty good, I could also be pretty fast. But I do not know “, he said, shrugging his shoulders, almost embarrassed.
Marco Bezzecchi: “I don't know what to do with the tires yet."
What does “Bez” think he can do for Sunday’s 26-lap race? “ In FP4, I tried to reach the race distance with the medium rear tire and I even exceeded it. I was quite fast but in the morning I had the same tire – a new medium – but it was strange. I don't know if it was the track or me. I didn't feel very well. I was fast, but not fast enough. So I don't really know what to do for Sunday. I feel better for the end of the race compared to the other races, but the others are really fast at the start. I have to check everything before saying more ».
His best MotoGP result to date was a fifth place at his home GP at Mugello. “ I think my race pace was a little better in Mugello than here. Well, maybe very similar », underlines the teammate of Luca marini. « My pace here in Assen is not bad, but like I said: I don't know what to do with the tires yet. At Mugello, everything was clear to me from Friday. But I feel good. I like fast tracks and high speed corners, it definitely helps a little ».
MotoGP Assen J2: qualifying
Credit classification motogp.com
