Marco Bezzecchi described himself as “extremely lucky” to have avoided a high-side crash during the first practice session of the Japanese MotoGP. His 2026 season has been marked by highs and lows over 15 rounds.
On one side, Bezzecchi has showcased dominant performances with victories in the opening three races of the season, as well as at Mugello, along with strong showings at circuits like Silverstone and Aragon despite sustaining injuries.
However, the other side reveals a series of crashes that caused setbacks, most notably incidents during the race at Assen and qualifying at the Sachsenring.
At Motegi, the Aprilia rider narrowly escaped another crash after losing rear grip off-throttle at turn 11 during FP1 — the same spot where Takaaki Nakagami crashed earlier in damp conditions, resulting in a broken collarbone.
“I began the day right away with a major save,” Bezzecchi said following practice in Japan. “I noticed some light rain on the track, but overall the asphalt appeared completely dry. When I reached turn 11 and started braking, it looked darker, but I wasn’t sure if that was just a feature of the new asphalt. I had walked the track beforehand, but riding is always different. I only realized it was wet once the bike started sliding sideways, so I was incredibly lucky.”
When asked how he managed the save, Bezzecchi admitted it was mostly luck. “Sometimes you manage to save it; sometimes you don’t, even when you think you’re doing the same thing.” After the incident, he went straight to the pits and decided to be cautious.
He also expressed sympathy for Nakagami, saying, “It’s a huge shame because injuries are always hard to deal with. I wish him a speedy recovery. As a Japanese rider, it’s important for the fans to see him here, so hopefully he can return soon.”
Fan Take: Bezzecchi’s narrow escape highlights the razor-thin margin between success and disaster in MotoGP, reminding racing fans just how unpredictable and intense the sport can be. This moment could serve as a turning point, underscoring the importance of rider skill and luck, and potentially impacting championship dynamics as the season continues.
Source: www.crash.net
