Marco Bezzecchi escaped without broken bones following a severe collision with 2025 MotoGP champion Marc Marquez during the Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika. The incident, which occurred on the first lap at Turn 7, has brought intense scrutiny not only to the riders but also to the safety features of the track’s run-off area.
Details of the Collision and Immediate Aftermath
After starting from pole position, Bezzecchi experienced a poor launch that pushed him back in the field before he collided with the rear of Marquez’s Ducati. Both racers were violently thrown into the gravel trap, striking a raised ‘step’ in the run-off zone, a feature that has drawn criticism from multiple participants for its potential danger. Marquez sustained a fractured shoulder and was promptly sent back to Spain for more comprehensive medical evaluation.
Bezzecchi was transported to a local hospital for medical checks. Aprilia Racing later confirmed that scans showed he did not suffer any bone fractures, although he was in significant pain, which team officials suggested could be linked to the cumulative effect of a previous crash at Motegi and the recent accident in Indonesia.
Team and Rider Reactions to the Incident
Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing, acknowledged the intensity and risks involved in MotoGP competition and expressed regret over the crash.
“It was clear Marco was the fastest rider during this weekend, so obviously the expectation was very high… Shit happens. This is racing at the end,”
Rivola said. He stressed that while racing incidents are part of the sport, the team regrets causing an accident that ended another rider’s race early.
Rivola referenced apologies delivered by Bezzecchi to Marquez on multiple occasions, highlighting the respect and professionalism despite the collision’s impact on both competitors’ races.
“I saw Tardozzi saying Marco apologised to Marc twice. It’s really something that we would like to avoid seeing, but in this kind of competition, you know how tight the performance is in MotoGP is,”
he added.
The focus on Bezzecchi’s pace further emphasizes the fine margins in play, with Rivola noting,
“They are all warriors that try to get the best out of the bike, maybe sometimes not thinking too much about strategy, because he clearly had the pace to recover. He did that yesterday in half the number of laps.”
Bezzecchi’s Performance Before the Crash
Before the incident, Bezzecchi had demonstrated commanding speed throughout the race weekend. He secured pole position by a significant margin of four tenths of a second and claimed victory in the sprint race despite another slow start that dropped him to eighth on the opening lap. However, a similar poor start in the main race coupled with the crash prematurely ended his Indonesian GP campaign.
Raul Fernandez was the next best performer for the Aprilia team, finishing sixth, but Jorge Martin and Ai Ogura both withdrew due to injuries acquired earlier in the week. The reduced lineup and Bezzecchi’s retirement represented a lost chance for Aprilia to capitalize on what had been a promising venue.
Consequences and Forthcoming Penalties
Bezzecchi is set to appear before the race stewards following the incident with Marquez. Rivola anticipates that a penalty will be imposed on his rider for causing the collision, demonstrating accountability within the sport’s regulatory framework. Despite this, the team remains committed to pushing forward this season.
“Personally, I think that Marco deserves to be at least third in the championship. I guess he will get some penalty for the next race, but I tell you that we won’t give up,”
Rivola stated, underscoring a determined outlook despite the setbacks encountered.
Context Within the Manufacturer Championship and Team Morale
Amid an injury-plagued season and ongoing challenges with rider availability, Aprilia remains resolute in its pursuit to secure second place in the manufacturers’ standings, a position currently contested with KTM. Rivola commented on the team’s resilience and focus despite external perception about instability in their lineup.
“We are quite focused on what we are doing. Maybe it’s difficult to see from the outside, but despite this season where it was never clean in terms of rider line-up, we are still quite motivated, we still want to be the second manufacturer in the championship,”
he said.
The results at Mandalika highlight the harsh realities of conflict on the MotoGP circuit, where the thrill of competition blends uneasily with the risks of high-speed racing that can abruptly alter championship dynamics.
