Marco Bezzecchi has extended his apologies to the entire MotoGP community, including his team Aprilia Racing and his fans, for his conduct towards a track marshal. The incident resulted in his disqualification. Bezzecchi expressed remorse, stating, “I am also sorry because I know all the efforts and sacrifices that the marshals make to ensure our safety.”
In a moment captured by MotoGP cameras on Sunday, the Italian rider was seen making amends with the marshal. He shook the marshal’s hand, embraced him, offered a gift (his gloves), hugged him again, and then shook hands with the rest of the marshaling team.
What transpired between Marco Bezzecchi and the marshal? During Saturday’s sprint race at the Czech Republic Grand Prix, Bezzecchi crashed while in fifth position, marking his fourth sprint race fall. As he rushed back to retrieve his motorcycle, which was being attended to by marshals, he pushed a marshal aside, making contact with his face in his haste to rejoin the race. Moments later, as the marshal approached Bezzecchi, the Italian slapped him. The footage provides irrefutable evidence of these actions.
Following the incident, Bezzecchi was disqualified from Sunday’s Czech Republic Grand Prix. Aprilia initially appealed the decision, but their appeal was ultimately rejected. The team has since accepted the penalty. Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing, stated to DAZN, “We appealed yesterday because we felt the sanction was disproportionate to the act committed, but now it is fair, and we accept it.” He further emphasized, “As a team, we do not tolerate this kind of behavior from a rider.”