Marc Marquez appealed to his followers to avoid holding grudges against Marco Bezzecchi following their collision during the Indonesian MotoGP race, which resulted in a suspected fracture to Marquez’s right shoulder. The incident took place on the opening lap at Turn 7, where Bezzecchi crashed into Marquez’s Ducati while attempting to recover after a poor start.
Details of the Collision and Immediate Aftermath
Bezzecchi, who had won the sprint race and started from pole position, was eager to regain lost positions when he made contact with Marquez’s bike, causing both riders to crash. Marquez was violently thrown onto the gravel, while Bezzecchi also slid off the track. Though Bezzecchi managed to walk away, he returned promptly to check on Marquez, who was visibly holding his right arm and signaling discomfort around his shoulder.
Ducati confirmed medical scans show signs of a fracture affecting either bone or ligaments, with further evaluations planned once Marquez arrives back in Madrid for comprehensive testing. Before departing for Europe, Marquez shared a message on social media expressing regret over the unfortunate timing of the injury, stating,
“Not the best way to celebrate the championship, but this is racing.”
He also urged fans to avoid blaming Bezzecchi, emphasizing that no one causes such incidents intentionally.
Reactions from Family and Team Representatives
Marquez’s younger brother, Alex, who witnessed the crash, shared similar sentiments and refrained from criticizing Bezzecchi, saying,
“The incident was clear, but I don’t want to criticise Bezzecchi.”
He added perspective on the challenges of racing by explaining,
“We have 44 races… It’s nearly impossible to not make a mistake in some race.”
Following the crash, Bezzecchi was checked in the hospital and confirmed to have avoided injury. Although he has not publicly spoken due to ongoing medical checks, Aprilia’s team principal Massimo Rivola issued an apology on behalf of the team:
“First of all, our apologies go to Marquez. We’re very sorry about what happened.”
— Massimo Rivola, Aprilia Team Principal
Implications for Marquez’s Season and Outlook
This injury to Marquez occurs just after he secured the championship, causing disappointment and concern as the recovery process begins. The upcoming medical assessments in Madrid will determine the severity and potential impact on his participation in forthcoming MotoGP events. Both Marquez and Bezzecchi’s responses reflect the unpredictable and intense nature of motorcycle racing, highlighting the fine line riders navigate between competition and safety.
