Marco Bezzecchi returned to the MotoGP grand prix podium for the first time since his Silverstone win in May, finishing second behind Marc Marquez in a gripping race at Assen.
The Aprilia rider had already impressed with a Sprint podium on Saturday, making it his first double-podium weekend since the 2023 San Marino GP. Despite the strong showing, Bezzecchi admitted he had little left to challenge Marquez in the second half of Sunday’s race.
“It was a very good weekend,” Bezzecchi said. “Finally, podium in a Sprint, good qualifying, and today the race was fantastic.”
Bezzecchi was able to stick close to Marquez in the early stages, but couldn’t maintain the pace once the championship leader upped his rhythm.
“I really gave my all to try to fight with Marc,” he explained. “But in the second part of the race, I was struggling. He made a step on the pace, and it was tough for me to stay close.”
Bezzecchi executed all his key overtakes—on Alex Marquez and Pecco Bagnaia—at the final chicane, where he felt strongest on the brakes. But once in second, Marquez’s strength in Turn 15 prevented him from getting close enough to attempt a pass.
“To be honest, the only place where I was strong to attack was braking into the last chicane,” Bezzecchi said. “But Marc was a bit stronger in Turn 15, and I couldn’t stay close enough. I always caught him in the wrong place.”
Despite missing out on victory, Bezzecchi was proud of his ride and effort.
“I was really on the limit the whole race. I never managed the tyre or myself—I was risking in every corner. I had fun.”
When asked how this race compared to his Silverstone win, Bezzecchi was clear: “Silverstone was better—it’s always better when you win! But today was fantastic too.”
