Aprilia MotoGPrider Marco Bezzecchi revealed the extent of his injuries following a crash caused by teammate Jorge Martin during the opening lap of the Japanese Grand Prix sprint. Despite physically suffering in the incident, Bezzecchi managed to compete and secure fourth place on race day, showcasing his determination amid discomfort. The incident put a spotlight on Marco Bezzecchi MotoGP injuries, as the Italian admitted the damage ran deeper than initially reported.
Details of the Crash and Immediate Aftermath
The crash occurred as Jorge Martin aggressively pushed forward from the 17th starting position. Martin found an inside line at Turn 1 but misjudged his speed, resulting in a collision that took Bezzecchi, who began higher up in ninth, down with him. Martin was quickly diagnosed with a broken collarbone and forced out of the main event after hospital scans, while Bezzecchi passed initial medical checks and remained in the race.
Despite his injuries, Bezzecchi contributed valuable points by finishing just off the podium, helping Aprilia extend its advantage over KTM in the constructors’ championship. However, it soon became clear that Bezzecchi had not healed fully, having sustained injuries to his right leg, hand, back, and neck as a result of the impact.
Bezzecchi Describes His Lingering Pain and Recovery Challenges
Bezzecchi shared the physical toll the crash had taken on him, emphasizing the severity of the damage to his right leg, particularly his already vulnerable knee. He said,
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“After Saturday, I hurt myself on the right leg, especially the knee [where] I already had suffered an injury. But also the hand, my back, my neck, everything, because of the crash. The worst part was the leg – the muscle on the thigh. This is completely full of blood, and also the knee. Bending the leg was very difficult.”
The rider remains determined to recover fully, adding,
“So, not in the best shape at the moment, but I will try my best to arrive in Mandalika fully fit.”
Reactions and Team Dynamics Following the Incident
After the crash, Jorge Martin returned to the track for a series of talks with Bezzecchi and team management, as Aprilia worked to ease tensions between the two riders. Martin flew back to Spain to undergo surgery for his broken shoulder, while Bezzecchi maintained a professional and understanding attitude regarding the accident. Addressing how he felt about Martin, Bezzecchi explained,
“I never had any problem with Jorge. Of course, the mistake for me was a bit too much, considering where he started compared to me. I’m sure that he realised immediately. But we never had anything wrong.”
He continued to describe checking on Martin after the crash, noting his teammate’s pain and the solidarity that followed:
“I went immediately to check how it was after the crash, because I realised quite quickly that I hadn’t broken anything. I felt pain, but I could understand that overall everything was okay. And I saw Jorge keeping the hand on his shoulder, so I went to check, and he was in a lot of pain. And then when he came back [to the track] after the medical checks. It was very cool at the end to speak a bit with him. He apologised, but to be honest, I didn’t need anything. Everything was okay already.”
Impact on Aprilia and Upcoming MotoGP Events
Bezzecchi’s resilience despite suffering multiple injuries highlights the intense physical demands placed on MotoGP athletes. His strong finish preserved key points for Aprilia in the constructors’ championship, impacting the ongoing season battle. Looking ahead, his statement about striving to be fully fit for the next race in Mandalika signals how critical recovery will be in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the incident has underscored the risks of aggressive racing and the fine margins between success and setbacks for factory riders on Aprilia’s roster. With Jorge Martin sidelined due to surgery and Bezzecchi nursing his injuries, the team faces challenges as the season continues to unfold.
