MotoGP, Assen Day 2 – Tension at Aprilia: Bezzecchi and Martin fought like cats and dogs, “it was a deliberate gesture to show him the limits!” says Guintoli

The sprint race at Assen revealed a growing animosity between Marco Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin. Consultant Michael Laverty analyzed the championship leader's move: "Bezzecchi took a sharp, deliberate turn to show Martin the limits." Sylvain Guintoli agreed: "There's been a certain tension building up." The battle of the teammates has begun.

Bezzecchi et Martin They no longer exchange gifts. Massimo rivola repeated the same idea. I prefer two thoroughbreds to two donkeys."The boss of..."aprilia-racing He knew perfectly well what he was building. Today, the Assen Sprint shows that this philosophy is beginning to produce its downside.

Car Marco Bezzecchi et Jorge Martin They are no longer just two teammates. They are now two contenders for the title. And that changes everything. At first glance, it was just a forceful overtake. On the seventh lap of the Sprint, Bezzecchi dive inside George Martin at turn 10 and takes it all the way to the outside curb. Nothing irregular. But nothing innocent either.

According to Michael Laverte, consultant TNT SportsThe message was perfectly clear. Bezzecchi deliberately closed the door all the way to the rumble strip to show Martin where the track ended."In other words: I'm at home, you have to adapt."

Laverty believes above all that this maneuver reflects a deeper evolution. A certain tension has built up between them in recent weeks »

Sylvain Guintoli: “ Bezzecchi knew exactly what he was doing. Martin had only one option: to ride onto the rumble strip. »

Sylvain Guintoli He shares exactly the same interpretation. According to him, Bezzecchi knew perfectly well where he was Martin that holds the top spot. " He knew exactly what he was doing. Martin had only one option: to ride onto the rumble strip. "This is no longer simply a battle of trajectories. It's a battle for territory."

This situation should come as no surprise to anyone. Massimo rivola He never wanted to build a team around an undisputed leader. On the contrary. He always explained that a great team had to be willing to manage several drivers capable of winning.

He knew, therefore, that sooner or later, this rivalry would emerge. And here we are. The context further intensifies this tension. After two difficult Grands Prix for Aprilia — the collision caused by Martin in Hungary then the disqualification of Bezzecchi in Brno — Ducati is back in the championship race. Every point counts now. Under these circumstances, nobody wants to give an inch. Not even to their teammate.

Aprilia now probably has the best bike on the grid at several circuits. Its four machines regularly dominate the front positions. But this success creates a new challenge. Until now, the enemy was DucatiNow, the first opponent of Marco Bezzecchi is sometimes called George MartinAnd vice versa.

This is precisely what distinguishes a team capable of winning races from a team capable of managing a championship. ApriliaThe speed is now there. It remains to be seen whether the coexistence will hold when points start to weigh even more heavily than egos.