Marco Bezzecchi confirmed his strong finish to the season in Qatar . By securing an excellent third place in the decisive Practice session on Friday evening, the Italian rider validated his consistent progress and that of his team. Delighted to rediscover the exhilarating feeling of riding under the floodlights of the Losail circuit, the Italian spoke candidly about his performance, the pressure currently weighing on his title rivals, and the controversies surrounding the event.
The pleasure of night riding and Aprilia's progress
Looking back on his day's work and the evolution of his machine compared to last year, the Italian didn't hide his delight when analyzing his lap times. "I'm pretty happy, it was a good day, a good start to the weekend. Above all, I had a lot of fun! I remember that last year we worked very hard here, and seeing the progress made was really nice and very satisfying. So a big thank you to the guys in Noale and, as always, to the whole Aprilia team . I'm also happy to have improved a lot in my riding, and I want to emphasize that. Overall, it was a good day . Here, there's always a big difference between the two sessions, because one takes place during the day and the other at night. The night session is obviously more exciting, because it benefits from all the charm of the night, and I had a lot of fun ," he told GPOne.
Bez says hi 👋😂 #QatarGP 🇶🇦 pic.twitter.com/zC982NBFFV
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) November 6, 2026
The necessity of qualifications and the irony in the face of pressure
Aware that the hierarchy is tightening at the front of the pack, Bezzecchi emphasizes the crucial role of the flying lap before smilingly addressing the pressure surrounding the title race. “ Qualifying is absolutely crucial, because if you have good pace but start far back, everything becomes complicated . It will be important to correct everything we can. In the end, I don't really have a choice: I have to work, stay focused with the whole team, and give my best. We'll see what happens next .” When asked about the pressure Marc Marquez is under in the race for the ultimate prize, the Aprilia rider bursts out laughing: “No, I'd rather have the pressure!” implying that being in a position to challenge for the title remains an enviable privilege.
A deliberate choice to come and race in Qatar
Finally, the former VR46 resident addressed the security controversies surrounding the trip to the Gulf, fully standing by his decision to race despite the widespread concerns. “ As I’ve always said, from the outside, it might seem like I supported this decision solely for championship reasons . It’s true that ultimately, it was in my best interest to come here for the World Championship, but this discussion had been going on for a long time. If the organizers thought it was the right choice, I don’t believe they’re crazy enough to send us to a place we know nothing about .”
Summary of key issues and events:
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An encouraging top 3: Marco Bezzecchi sets the third fastest time in Practice in Qatar, confirming the good health of the Noale machines on the Losail circuit.
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The choice of serenity: Calm in the face of the accounting challenges, the Italian much prefers to bear the pressure of a hard-fought championship rather than be a spectator in the race for trophies.
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Trust in the organization: The Aprilia rider defends the continuation of the Grand Prix, believing that the authorities had the necessary guarantees to ensure the safety of the paddock.
Do you think Marco Bezzecchi will be able to upset the odds against the league's top teams this weekend? Let us know in the comments!
Results of the MotoGP Practice session at the 2026 Qatar Grand Prix:
Ranking credit: MotoGP.com
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
