Marco Bezzecchi has achieved an incredible third place on the podium in the sprint of the British Grand Prix, a result that exceeds his own expectations after a Saturday marked by fatigue and a delicate physical state.
The Aprilia rider demonstrated his determination on the track, despite having recently returned from an injury suffered at Sachsenring. After recording the best time in Friday’s practice session, Saturday posed a real challenge to his physical condition, especially during qualifying and the sprint, which increased the demands.
With a new lap record at the circuit established during qualifying, Bezzecchi achieved a time of 1:56.183, allowing him to start from the second row. This connection with the time increased the pressure on him, and he had to complete 10 laps consecutively in the sprint, double what he achieved in FP2 that same day.
Facing pain and a strange sensation in his foot, Bezzecchi started slowly but managed to gain positions, first overtaking Marc Márquez on the fifth lap and then Fabio di Giannantonio, thus consolidating his third place.
With this result, the Italian signs his first podium in the sprint since the Hungary race in June and brings the first triple presence of Aprilia on the podium in this category.
In a post-race statement, Bezzecchi acknowledged his surprise at the success: ‘Perhaps more than I expected. I felt super tired. With four laps to go, I felt a drop in my physical performance. I hadn’t imagined it would be so tough, especially after feeling worse in the morning.’
Bezzecchi underwent surgery on a broken shoulder just a month ago and is currently still struggling with the strength of his left side, while also experiencing significant pain in the knee and movement restrictions. About his physical condition he said: ‘I feel pain on the left side. Generally, everywhere, because I still don’t have enough strength in my upper body from the left.’
On Sunday, Bezzecchi will face a new physical challenge with the Grand Prix of a total of 20 laps. The use of the medium tire on the rear could provide him with better durability compared to the soft tire used by many riders in the sprint.
Despite the expectations, Bezzecchi has been cautious: ‘It will be difficult to maintain speed throughout the race. I will limit myself to trying to survive.’
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
