Italian says he pushed like crazy to keep up with Francesco Bagnaia in the Dutch GP, and talks about analyzing race data to make sure he will learn enough to always stay among the frontrunners in MotoGP
Marco Bezzecchi gave VR46 its first podium in MotoGP. Thrilled with his second place in Sunday's Dutch GP (26) in his debut year in the premier class of the MotoGP World Championship, the Italian dedicated the result to Valentino Rossi and the VR46 Drivers' Academy.
Besides defending the colors of the multi-champion's team, Bezzecchi is one of the pupils of the #46 and was recruited to the Academy at the age of 15. The rider made a point of emphasizing that he wouldn't be where he is without Valentino.
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Speaking to the press after the race, Marco was thrilled with his second place and told how he struggled early in the race to keep pace with Fabio Quartararo and Aleix Espargaró, but after the incident between the two, he had to "push like crazy" to keep up with Francesco Bagnaia.
"I don't know how to express this emotion," Bezzecchi said. "It was fantastic. [The race] started well, but not so well. I wanted to be there with the pointers, because I knew I could be fast. I was catching up with Fabio and Aleix. I saw an opening and tried to go after Pecco, pushing like crazy. In the end I always had a good grip. I didn't have to control the tires too much. I would say that everything went very well," he commented.
"When I saw the rain, I noticed a few drops, but I saw that it wasn't much. Then I noticed Pecco coming closer, and I tried to stay focused and just kept pushing to the limit," he reported.
Bezzecchi pointed out that he has always liked Assen, but that he can't fit perfectly in the circuit with the Ducati Desmosedici. For this very reason, Marco wants to study the data to learn the lessons of the race that earned him second place.
"I was happy here in Assen. I really like racing here. I always like the corners, the fast braking, but I'm not perfect yet. But I was efficient here in all the points, so I'll have a good look at the data, but hopefully I've learned enough to always be competitive. I still have to get used to pushing so hard at the front. The harder you push your bike, the better it performs. It takes confidence to do that. And I'm getting there.
At the end of the race, Marco held up a flag from Valentino Rossi, friend and mentor at the VR46 Rider Academy.
"I want to say hello to Vale. Send him a hug. They gave me a flag at the track, so thank you!" he said. "I think the commissioner wanted to give the flag to Pecco, but I took it, as he went to greet the crowd! Vale and the whole Academy did a great job! Without him, I wouldn't be here. He started supporting me when I was 15 years old. To be here is fantastic. That's for him and the Academy. They support me a lot and have really progressed this year," he concluded.
MotoGP is now on vacation and will only resume on August 7, with the British GP at Silverstone.GRANDE PRÊMIO is following all the activities of the 2022 MotoGP World Championship.