Bezzecchi wins MotoGP opener as wheel woe forces Marquez out

Marco Bezzecchi won the MotoGP season-opening grand prix in Thailand from pole position on Sunday as defending world champion Marc Marquez retired late with a buckled wheel.

Aprilia’s Bezzecchi led from start to finish to top the podium in Buriram, with KTM’s Pedro Acosta second and Trackhouse’s Raul Fernandez third.

Ducati’s Marquez is chasing a record-equalling eighth world title this season but he exited the race in dramatic fashion while in fourth place with five laps to go.

The Spaniard, who started from second on the grid, took a corner wide and the jolt to his bike dislodged the rear tyre and badly damaged his wheel.

Bezzecchi returned to winning form after crashing out of Saturday’s sprint race on the second lap.

“Yesterday was a small mistake with a big consequence so it was important today to try to bounce back,” said the Italian.

“My pace was good with the medium, we worked it super-well all weekend, so I knew that I could be fast if I was in front.

“I tried my all to make a good start and the bike was perfect,” he added.

Bezzecchi was fastest in all three practice sessions in Thailand and set a new track record in qualifying.

It was also his third straight grand prix win stretching back to last season.

“It’s just the first race so we must stay calm, we must stay focused, keep our head down and try to work always in the best way possible,” said Bezzecchi.

“Because we know that we will struggle at some point.”

 

Marquez misery

Marquez dominated last year’s championship but he said earlier this week that he was still feeling the lingering effects of a shoulder injury that forced him to miss the final four races of the season.

The 33-year-old was picked off by a succession of riders as the race got underway but recovered to put himself back into podium contention.

He was priming himself for an attack on Acosta and Fernandez when he ran wide and did well not to be thrown from his bike, even though it did spell the end of his race.

The 33-year-old got off his bike and slapped his hands together in frustration before trudging off the track.

His departure left Acosta to reel in Fernandez to secure second place and wrap up a successful weekend for the 21-year-old Spaniard.

Acosta won the sprint after Marquez was forced to let him pass on the final lap because of a penalty.

“We have to be happy that things are working super-good,” said Acosta, who leads the championship standings ahead of Bezzecchi after the first round.

“Thanks to everyone who supported me, because last year the start was not the dreaming one.”

Fernandez looked like he had second place locked up until a late problem with his bike allowed Acosta to go past him.

“It was quite difficult, especially the last five, six laps,” said Fernandez.

“I tried to make my maximum but I had destroyed the rear tyre.”

Jorge Martin, the 2024 world champion, finished fourth after seeing the defence of his title wrecked by injury last season.

Trackhouse’s Ai Ogura was fifth, followed by VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio and KTM’s Brad Binder.

Alex Marquez, last season’s championship runner-up, did not finish the race after a late crash.

Francesco Bagnaia, the 2022 and 2023 world champion, finished ninth after starting from 13th on the grid.