Three crashes, zero World Championship points: Bezzecchi explains his crucial mistakes

– Marco Bezzecchi was the dominant rider in practice at the 2026 MotoGP season opener in Thailand. Already in Friday practice, the Aprilia rider set a new lap record at the Buriram International Circuit. In qualifying, he secured pole position, albeit only 0,035 seconds ahead of world champion Marc Marquez (Ducati).

Read more Agreement in Formula 1 engine dispute: FIA adjusts measurement procedures

However, Bezzecchi already made mistakes on Saturday morning. In the practice session before qualifying, he crashed on his fifth lap in Turn 3. The Italian also went down in qualifying. Shortly before the end, he crashed in Turn 12.

In the sprint, Bezzecchi engaged in a close duel with Marc Marquez from the start. In the second lap, he took the lead, but then he slipped out in Turn 9. Thus, the top favorite was eliminated early and remained without world championship points on Saturday.

“Yes, a small mistake,” sighs Bezzecchi and describes: “I touched the inner white line a little with the front wheel, and that’s when the front wheel went away. I tried to catch it and had almost managed it.”

“But then, when I got on the gas to straighten the bike up again, the front wheel slipped away completely. Then I was under the bike, which is why it was impossible to save it. But yes: a small mistake. I wanted to close the line a bit more.”

Did he overdo it at that moment? “Well, I definitely tried to build a gap. In the sprint, it’s normal that you try to start at the front and then open up a gap. It’s part of the job.”

“At the moment, we are all extremely close together. Maybe I was a bit faster and I wanted to try to stay in front. And if you want to stay in front, you have to push.” Three crashes in one day is a lot.

Read more Agreement in Formula 1 engine dispute: FIA adjusts measurement procedures

Did Bezzecchi want too much after the strong Friday? “To you, it looked yesterday as if I was riding easily with one arm. The reality is: I was already pushing like a bastard yesterday. Maybe I could have crashed yesterday, after all, I crashed today.”

“I’m sorry, but we ride at the limit every time, so it’s normal to make mistakes. That’s the difference between good and bad riders. And today, in the end, maybe I wasn’t the best because I made too many mistakes.”

“But I can’t do it any other way, we have to push all the time.” Due to Bezzecchi’s early crash, Marc Marquez initially took command of the race. Finally, Pedro Acosta (KTM) won a close duel. Previously, the Ducati rider had received a penalty.

Does the course of the sprint change Bezzecchi’s approach for the Grand Prix? “Tomorrow will definitely be a different race because it’s super long and this track is extremely demanding on the tires,” the pole-setter looks ahead to Sunday.

“The track also demands a lot from the front tires, so we have to find a way for me to feel good on the bike. At the moment, I don’t know my strategy. I will try to give everything and do the best I can. Then we’ll see.”

Bezzecchi’s brand colleagues were still able to show the potential of the RS-GP in the sprint. Raul Fernandez, Ai Ogura, and Jorge Martin finished in third, fourth, and fifth places.