MotoGP: in Thailand, Bezzecchi and Aleix Espargaró brought the question of sanctions and the legitimacy of judges back to the table

The last Thai Grand Prix took place in dire conditions, not to put a MotoGP rider out. And yet, they faced the elements and the wall of water raised by the motorcycles, a spray that was even more anxiety-inducing for those who found themselves stuck in the peloton. Staying on the bike, and not hurting anyone like yourself, was high-flying, but it was clearly not a mitigating excuse for the commissioners who took action on two cases: that of Marco Bezzecchi and that of Aleix Espargaró . The defense has the floor, which puts back on the table a debate that began a while ago and which has gained momentum again this season: that of the legitimacy of the judges...

Let's start with the first punished who was Marco Bezzecchi : " they gave me this penalty, which is frankly very impossible to understand because Jorge Martin who I was with went on the green side like me, hit me in the straight, hit me in the turn and they only gave me the sanction » says the pilot of the Ducati VR46 who started from pole position in Thailand.

He adds : " for me it's something that comes from the sense of running » and he ends with motorcyclesports : " I think whoever gave me the penalty has probably never seen a MotoGP race. It's hard to understand ". It will be recalled that this type of decision is taken by a panel of commissioners whose head is Freddie spencer...

Aleix Espargaró after Thailand: « at this rate we will become like Formula 1 » 

Then there is the case Aleix Espargaró, who “relied” on Brad Binder when approaching a bend, which forced the KTM rider to veer wide… “ we had a good rhythm and I felt good, but the contact with Brad cost me a Long Lap which is really excessive on this track. On some circuits two seconds are lost, here five and that doesn't seem fair to me ».

« Honestly, though, this penalty doesn't sit well with me “, admits number 41. “ Drivers and insiders always talk about overtaking, complain because there are few of them, but if you try to overtake a driver in extreme conditions and make contact you are penalized ". And the veteran of the set finishes: “ by moving forward at this pace, there will be no more overtaking and we will become like Formula 1 ". A reflection that has been made by others this season…