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Simple, straightforward, spontaneous without much ado. However, if we had to choose three words to describe him, we would say, Simply the Bez! On the eve of the Sachsenring round, we shared this long interview with Marco Bezzecchi.
The Pertamina VR46 rider tells his story between past, present and future at a time that is not exactly easy in his career as he himself admitted. A year ago this period Marco was standing out in the top positions, now instead he is forced to play catch-ip on a Ducati GP23 that is putting him not a little to the test.
Yet he has no intention of giving up just as his story before arriving in MotoGP teaches. That's exactly where we started, from the day he joined the top class.
"It's been a few years since I arrived in MotoGP and my career is going well, " he began, "I've improved and matured, getting older. I think it's the right path, while remaining the same as a man."
Unfortunately, the last race in Assen did not go the way you had hoped for. Have you had a chance to let off steam as said these days?
"Letting off steam is useful (he smiles) although mine was meant to be more of a joke. I don't deny that when I'm on my own business maybe I get pissed off. Obviously you have to keep your cool, especially in this day and age since you can't afford to do anything in front of the cameras anymore and all of that is pissing me off, in fact it's a pain in the ass. I need to throw out and let off steam, without keeping things too much inside me because then I risk working worse. After Assen I've been with my friends, my family, also devoting time to the gym."
Michael Jordan, whom you admire so much, said, "In my life I missed more than nine thousand shots, I missed almost three hundred games, twenty-six times my teammates entrusted me with the decisive shot and I missed it. I failed many times. And that's why in the end I won everything". Is this your philosophy?
"I would say yes! It's a difficult time and there's no point in denying it, it's not easy to deal with it, because a year ago at this time I was in better shape. In sports, however, every year is its own, but nothing gets me down. I know what I am like and I will not give up, in fact I don't care what people say."
It's kind of like the song "Dentista Croazia" (by Pinguini Tattici Nucleari, ed.): the more they laugh at me, the broader my shoulders get.
"Exactly! I also see myself in 'gritting my teeth everything passes.' I have so many people who love me and it is thanks to them that I find that strength I need."
How are you experiencing the relationship with the Ducati GP23?
"In all relationships there are always moments of difficulty. Right now is a difficult time, but soon we will make peace."
On the horizon, however, there is Aprilia....
"I am very happy about this possibility for 2025. I still have a lot of races ahead of me this season and as a result I want to enjoy them to the last. I did not expect this news at a time that is not easy, but this all gave me confidence. For sure it will be strange to say goodbye to these colors, but I knew it would happen sooner or later."
Four years ago you were close to Aprilia - did you fear it was one of those trains that had passed and would never return?
"To tell you the truth, I didn't think about it. At the time I was not ready for MotoGP, in fact I wanted to do well in Moto2 coming in ready for such an experience. In the end, however, everyone's dream is to become a factory rider, and I am grateful to my team, which granted me this kind of path."
At the beginning of the Championship you were among the candidates for the Factory Ducati. When did you realize that dream would fade?
"I really believed in that seat, but my chances were reduced after the results at the beginning of the Championship. Nevertheless, I always believed in it, even though I expected the choice of Ducati with Marc. I repeat: until the moment they didn't choose Marquez, I always believed in it, also because if I hadn't done so, then my motivation would have then dropped."
What is your idea of this World Championship battle?
"It is a very good battle and Pecco is fully aware of it, racking up important results. Martin, on the other hand, knows how to settle for the result more than in the past, bringing home the maximum. Marquez can be in the game, but it will depend a lot on this weekend, since he has always been the dominant one here. In terms of speed Pecco and Jorge seem to me to be a step ahead."
If they were to put Marquez as your teammate in Aprilia?
"To me it changes nothing, because I try to get the best for myself. In the end he said it: you have to be selfish and he is right, in fact I try to do my best."
Migno said you are too severe with yourself?
"I am severe with myself because I demand a lot and I aspire for good results. In difficult moments, when you struggle, you risk purging yourself. However, I have the right people around me."
In these months, how helpful has the closeness of a person like Valentino Rossi been?
"Vale is always close to me, both in good and bad times. Now he is very close to me, in fact he helped me in deciding the future as if he were a friend to talk to and let off steam with. He certainly has great experience and knows what to advise you."
Bez, would you like to one day end your career in Superbike? Your way of being is very close to the production-derived paddock.
"I hope to race motorcycles for a very long time because it is something I love to do. In fact, I want to continue for a long time in this paddock however, I don't deny that I would like to experience SBK in the distant future. So I would say, why not? It's a different Championship, you always have to work your ass off, but maybe it's less stressful."
In recent weeks there has been a lot of talk about Toprak. What's your take on him?
"I got to know him and I have to say that I really like him, both as a person and as a riding style. He has been incredible with the BMW since all the other bikes are behind. He's awesome and he's scary. He is a really nice person and I congratulate him."
