They have not been idle during this 2023 season. During the winter, “Let’s talk MotoGP » will look at each of the participants in this exercise, and take stock; today, it's Marco Bezzecchi's turn, a cheerful guy that no one could have seen coming. Did he succeed? Did he fail? Could we have expected more? It’s time for analysis. Of course, you are invited to give your opinion in comments, because it matters a lot. Yesterday, we returned to Brad Binder, in an article that you can find by clicking here.
But where does this guy come from?
There are almost only positive things to say about Marco Bezzecchi. It was sensational, transcendent, crazy, swift, incredible; There are not enough superlatives to describe it. Let's look back at his season in several distinct points, starting first with the positive before looking at what went a little wrong, because everything was not rosy.
First, where does it come from? No one could predict such an explosion after his 2022 rookie season (finished in 14th position), but also, after his young years in small categories. Le Bez' had always been strong, but in the shadow of even more powerful adversaries. This season, ironically, it's still the case, but on a whole different scale.
Before the start, I predicted Bezzecchi would dominate his teammate Luca Marini due to his different approach, more focused on attack and therefore, more in accordance with the new format. But what was my surprise when I discovered an absolutely fantastic driver, from Argentina. In the end, he takes three victories each one as crazy as the other, four others podiums, a success in Sprint, three poles, four fastest laps in the race to 329 units, or 45,5% points available against 22,2% last year. Breathtaking.
A common style but rare triumphs
Like all the students of the VR46, his style on the bike is rather neutral, clean, even if he embodies madness more than a Luca Marini or a Pecco Bagnaia for example. When he decides to stick it out, he is uncatchable. In Argentina, I talked about it, in the rain: He made a demonstration to take his first victory by playing with the elements. At Le Mans, he didn't wait for anyone to escape and finish more than four seconds behind Jorge Martin. And then, undoubtedly the most striking; India, with this solitary ride concluded by crossing the checkerboard eight seconds ahead of its closest pursuer, on the dry! I don't remember such a difference in these conditions. So, of course, it was a new circuit so the learning time may vary, it is not certain that we will have the same configuration next year. But still.
He was the “show driver” of the 2023 season, without a doubt. The outsider who we didn't expect, the type who could make the best in the world doubt themselves until joining them from the top of this 3rd position in the general classification. Knowing how to win is one thing, but knowing how to win in this way demonstrates a great sense of racing, a rare talent, and a certain form of nerve that many should take inspiration from.
A strong character
I wanted to mention this point, because I think it is of capital importance. Marco Bezzecchi is not like the others, in a good sense of the word. Apart from this brotherhood that he shares with several pilots, he is a troublemaker without the agitating or redundant side. He is frank, and his silhouette is identifiable from miles away. Obviously, his tuft is reminiscent of Marco Simoncelli and there are similarities between the two, notably this very Italian self-expression in the spirit.
Whether we like his face or not, whether we appreciate his image or not, I can only congratulate the birth of a new character on the grid, an element that is missing these days.
Not at the level of his sidekick
Looking at the paragraphs above, you might think he had the perfect season. In reality, I think this is not the case, for several reasons. But keep in mind that at his young age (25), this is in no way reprehensible.
First of all, he was never at Pecco Bagnaia's level when it mattered. There was only one race where the VR46 pilot defeated the world champion; the Sprint in Assen. There was nothing to say. But on Sunday, his friend lectured him. And that's a bit of a summary of his season, unfortunately. In Argentina, when he won the race, as at Le Mans, Pecco Bagnaia was not there. On the legendary Silverstone track, he fell while trying to follow the official Ducati, and it is undoubtedly here that he lost the title.
It's not just a question of Pecco, but more generally, I think he outperformed in the first half of the season. This allowed him to take third place overall, but I don't think he is stronger than Brad Binder, for example. Moreover, he never interfered in one of the major contests of this campaign. At the Sachsenring, in Jerez, or even in Thailand, he was not in the game, as if in the background.
I therefore come to his regularity in performance, which is often faulty. He has some rather inexplicable results, such as this 8th place at Mugello, among other finishes outside the top 10. When you rub shoulders with monsters, it's not forgiving.
Regarding his season, I have to mention his injury between the Japanese Grand Prix and Indonesia. It's rather worrying, because Luca Marini had the same at the same time and the latter came back much better. After his victory in India, Bezzecchi no longer has any podium or pole position. The dynamics are not great.
Conclusion
Marco Bezzecchi was exceptional. Yes, he is still far from the title, very far in fact. In my opinion, a gap separates the first two from the general and the rest. But it is clear that he perfectly assumed his role as a surprise outsider; three victories in a campaign are never anecdotal in MotoGP. I take my hat off to him, especially since he didn't have much luck – hit at Jerez, at Spielberg, at Valencia and above all, during the Sprint in India which he would undoubtedly have won. He couldn't have done better in the general, but it's worth mentioning.
Regarding the rating, I give it a good 18/20. Apart from this small drop in performance at the end, undoubtedly linked to a return from injury, there is not much to complain about.
How would you rate it? Tell me in the comments!
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport