BEZZECCHI HEADS TO THE PITS AFTER MOTEGI HIGH-SIDE SCARE

Marco Bezzecchi returned to the pits after a near-highside at Turn 11 during Friday’s opening practice for the Japanese Grand Prix. The Aprilia rider had been among the first to tackle Motegi’s recently resurfaced track, but chose to wait for conditions to improve after saving the bike. “I’d already had enough” crashes, he said.

Bezzecchi explained that light rain had fallen across the circuit, although the tarmac appeared dry. At Turn 11, he noticed a darker patch on the new surface but could not tell whether it was simply a characteristic of the resurfacing. “I realised it was wet when the bike was [sideways], so I was super-lucky,” he said. He had walked the track the previous day, but noted that conditions can feel different on a motorcycle.

The rear stepped out as he entered the corner, and Bezzecchi said he could not explain exactly how he kept the bike upright. “It was just a matter of luck and I was ready,” he said, adding that sometimes a rider saves a slide and sometimes not, even when doing what seems like the same thing. He went straight back to the pits to wait for conditions to improve.

The incident came at the same corner where Takaaki Nakagami crashed earlier in damp conditions and broke his collarbone. Bezzecchi expressed sympathy for the Japanese rider, wishing him a speedy recovery, and said his presence at the home Grand Prix had been good for local fans.

Bezzecchi’s season has featured both strong results and serious crashes. He has taken dominant wins in the opening three rounds and at Mugello, while also producing impressive rides at Silverstone and Aragon despite being hurt. Crashes at Assen and in qualifying at the Sachsenring have been among the setbacks.