Marco Bezzecchi’s lead‑holding start at the San Marino Grand Prix ended abruptly when the Aprilia slid into gravel at Turn 13.
Polesitter turns into a one‑lap story
Bezzecchi’s Aprilia RS‑GP earned him pole with a record lap, then he seized the inside line at the outset to keep Marc Marquez mid‑field until the first lap. The Italian had recovered from being squeezed at the start in the previous three meetings.
Turn 13 disaster chips title hopes
Less than a lap into the Misano circuit, the front end of the bike ripped loose, sending the rider into the gravel trap while leading. The crash cost Bezzecchi the race and widened his title deficit to 33 points behind Marquez and Jorge Martín, with eight rounds to go.
Pain accepted, positives pursued
“It hurts a lot, it’s undeniable,” Bezzecchi said. “But we shouldn’t dwell on the negatives; we should focus on the positives.” He highlighted the fast qualifying, the sprint sprint and the improved start from the previous day.
Pressure denied
When asked if he had over‑increased his own pressure at Misano, the rider answered firmly, “No.” He added that the desire to win from first place applies regardless of the venue.
What went wrong
Bezzecchi explained that at Sector 3 the bike was gaining time, but managing his braking with a full fuel tank forced him to nudge the line inefficiently. The “shaking in the fast part” caused him to lose the front wheel. “I didn’t close the line perfectly,” he said.
Injury assessment
He denied aggravating collarbone and knee injuries. “It looks okay, it was not a big crash,” he noted, and said the adrenaline was still high as he awaited a clearer view overnight.
Memory of Mugello keeps him motivated
The European home race sparked high expectations after his sensational victory at the Italian Grand Prix in May. The win remains one of the biggest moments of his career, reminding him of the potential at Mugello.
Next step: Austria
With the Austrian round approaching, Bezzecchi is focusing on fine‑tuning the bike and his approach over the next few days. The goal is to harness the speed that has proven competitive while avoiding further mistakes.
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