At the MotoGP Indonesian Grand Prix, Marc Marquez suffered a collarbone fracture after a crash in the Turn 7 gravel trap, prompting strong criticism from riders including Alex Marquez and Joan Mir. The incident brought renewed attention to the gravel trap’s design and safety at this high-speed corner, amid concerns about the surface’s impact on rider well-being.
Concerns Raised Over Gravel Trap Design at Turn 7
The accident unfolded when Marco Bezzecchi collided with newly crowned world champion Marc Marquez, triggering the crash that resulted in Marquez’s injury. Riders questioned not only the presence of gravel in the run-off area but also the abrupt change, known as the “step,” between the asphalt and gravel surfaces, which caused Marquez to be launched into the air before landing hard on his right side.
Joan Mir, the 2020 world champion who witnessed the crash from close behind, expressed his unease about the trap’s danger.
“In that part [of the track] it was very dangerous from what I saw,”
Mir said.
“Marc probably broke his collarbone because of the step.”
He also voiced concern for Bezzecchi’s safety, emphasizing the risk posed by the gravel stretch.
“But I was also worried for Bezzecchi because when he was on the bike, he hit that step and he went to the gravel super fast. I don’t really understand why we have gravel there because if we just have asphalt it will be much more safe for us,”
Mir added.
Alex Marquez Highlights Risks and Calls for Action
Alex Marquez, Marc’s brother and also a MotoGP rider, reacted strongly to the condition of the gravel at Turn 7. When shown footage of the accident, he criticized the surface, describing it as unsafe due to its large rocks.
“Have you seen the state of the gravel?”
he questioned.
“It’s a mess. It’s always the same: nothing gets done until something happens. There are huge rocks, it’s impossible not to get hurt.”
He also pointed out the dangerous bump formed by the transition between asphalt and gravel.
“I can’t be happy. There was a bump [the step] in the ground. When you fall at this speed, what a rider wants to do is ‘brake’, put their arms out. You have to be more aware of these things,”
Alex said, emphasizing the need for immediate attention to such hazards.
Criticism of Racing Calendar and Impact on Rider Safety
While Alex acknowledged that Bezzecchi’s mistake contributed to the crash, he was more concerned about broader issues affecting rider safety, including the demanding race schedule.
“I don’t want to criticise Bezzecchi. With the sprints, we have 44 races [in the season]. The chance of making a mistake is so high. Everybody made a mistake during the season and it’s almost impossible not to in some race or other. So it’s totally normal.”
He warned that the physical and mental strain from such a packed calendar is wearing riders down.
“We have arrived at the end of the season – physically and mentally we are [at the limit], all the riders. And I think it’s something we need to think about for the future.”
Alex also connected the extensive racing schedule to the frequency of injuries on the circuit.
“[With 44 races] it is no coincidence that there are so many injuries. People get hurt more. We want to put on a show, but we need to be better protected,”
he said, calling for better safeguards to preserve rider health.
Implications for MotoGP Safety Measures and Upcoming Seasons
The crash involving Marc Marquez highlights ongoing safety concerns in MotoGP, particularly regarding run-off area surfaces like gravel traps at critical corners. With Marquez’s injury confirmed as a collarbone fracture, his recovery and return to racing will be closely watched by fans and competitors alike.
Given the riders’ vocal criticisms of both track design and the lengthy racing calendar, pressure is mounting on race organizers and governing bodies to reconsider safety protocols and potentially adjust the season schedule. Finding a balance between thrilling competition and rider protection remains a key challenge moving forward for MotoGP.
