MotoGP Misano Day 3 Debriefing Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia/2): "I was perhaps a little more immature in the past", etc. (Full)

This press conference of the Grand Prix of San Marino MotoGP 2025 gathered in Misano Marc Marquez, Marco Bezzecchi et Alex Marquez for their debriefing, after a weekend not only dominated by the Marquez brothers.

Marco Bezzecchi finished second, thus winning his sixth podium since joining Aprilia this yearThis result comes on top of his victory at Silverstone, his second places at Assen and Brno, as well as his third positions at the Red Bull Ring and Balaton Park.

With this new podium, he confirms his consistency at the highest level and consolidates his status as a real contender for the front positions. He still occupies the fourth place in the World Championship with 229 points, but he is now getting closer to the provisional podium: he is only 8 lengths of Francesco Bagnaia, currently third.

As usual, we report here in full the words of the latter, without the slightest formatting, even if it is translated from English.

🎤 Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the post-race press conference here at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli withThe top three finishers in the Red Bull Grand Prix of San Marino and Rimini Riviera are led by Ducati Lenovo Team rider Marc Márquez. Marc's 73rd MotoGP victory, pushed to the end by Marco Bezzecchi. This means, however, that today's victory could see Marc crowned world champion next time around in Japan, at Motegi. Congratulations Marc!
Second place, and what a race it was, what a weekend it was, for Marco Bezzecchi of the Aprilia Racing team: pole position and victory in the Sprint yesterday, and he pushed Marc all the way in this 27-lap battle to take second place in front of his home crowd.
And completing a successful weekend for the BK8 Gresini Racing team, Alex Márquez, double podium in the Sprint and the Grand Prix from the front row of the grid. Gentlemen, congratulations to all three of you!

🎤 Having pushed Marc to the checkered flag, Aprilia Racing rider Marco Bezzecchi. Marco, as Marc just said, you rode at an incredible level today. You even acknowledged that it was probably one of the best races of your Grand Prix career. How difficult was this duel with Marc? Was there a moment when you thought you could win in front of your home crowd…
Marco Bezzecchi: “Yes, it was really difficult. A very demanding race, but also magnificent, because I saw that I was at the limit, but at the same time I saw that Marc was pushing a lot and that I was able to stay with him. It’s always fantastic, so I’m very happy, of course. I believed I could bring home the victory, that was my goal, it’s quite obvious, but Marc was super fast and I think he still had something extra, especially from the middle of the race until the end, when the tire degrades. He manages to be smoother, faster, while in free practice we suffered less, but in the race the conditions changed and we suffered more. Anyway, I’m very happy, because the performance I put in was incredible. I really gave everything for the fans, for the factory, my team, the Academy, and everyone. So yes, I’m really happy!”

🎤 You really drove an incredible race, Marco. The key moment of the race was really that Turn 8 on Lap 12. We just heard what Marc thought about it. Can you tell us about that episode from your perspective?
Marco Bezzecchi: “It was complicated, because for me, since the beginning of the weekend, the main difference between the two rear tire compounds was braking. With the soft, I could stop the bike better. With the medium, I was struggling a little more, and Marc was really putting me under a lot of pressure. I knew he was strong in that part of the circuit, from Turn 4 to Turn 9-10, he was super fast. So I knew I had to defend there. But with those braking problems, I made a small mistake. I got a little hot on the bike and, to not lose the front, I had to release the front brake a little and go wide. Marc overtook me, and then I just tried to stay in contact and prepare to maybe attack again, but it wasn't enough.”

🎤 We just saw some pictures. You were so close to victory, but the Italian fans still loved your weekend. You had your own stand, all your supporters with the 72 flags, they were really happy, the celebrations on the podium too... How special was that moment?
Marco Bezzecchi: "(Inaudible) Maybe the guys next to me are more used to it. For me, it was super cool, but also a bit difficult, right? Seeing the support I received from people in the paddock, but also around the circuit, was fantastic! And the celebration on the podium was super nice. Yeah, it was really good."

🎤 Marco, yesterday I asked you: “Was this your best weekend of the season so far?” Of course, you won at Silverstone. What would your answer be today?
Marco Bezzecchi: “The victory obviously has a different flavor, that’s true, but in terms of the overall performance, the atmosphere of the weekend and everything that goes with it, it was definitely one of the best. I can’t say it was le best, because when you win, it's always much better. So, let's just say it's still one of the best."

🎤 Marco, now you are "three men and one king prawn"…What does this mean to you?
And second question: today, most likely when you were behind Marc, you reached your own top speed record with 305,9 km/h. You already achieved it in 2023 with Ducati. What do you do at that moment? Do you simply brake later than everyone else at Turn 11?
Marco Bezzecchi: “For the first question, I don't know if I'd take such a long road trip with those two guys, to be honest. Maybe I'd choose some of the Academy guys instead. I've known some of them for a longer time, and that might be better for me. Nothing against them, of course. It's just a matter of connection: we know each other a little better.”
Regarding the second question, I don't know. I try to brake late and open the throttle early.

🎤 I think it's fair to say that maybe two years ago your relationship wasn't the best, but it seems like it's much better now and it's clear you have a lot of respect for each other. Can you talk a little bit about that, as you've been battling each other a lot on the track over the past few months?
Marco Bezzecchi: “Yes, I agree. In the end, you know, it's normal, when you're fighting, to sometimes have difficult moments. And I also think that maybe I was a little more immature in the past, compared to now, and it was complicated then. Today, to be honest, it's also very good for me, and you can't ignore the speed that Marc has. Of course, he's a rival, so we're not best friends, but in the end that's how it is between all MotoGP riders. We have a good relationship in terms of mutual respect, and on track we can deliver great races. So it's okay.”