- 2023-05-15
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SPORTS
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MotoGP French: Marco Bezzecch Wins Chaotic Le Mans
Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Ducati) won SHARK Grand Prix de France at Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans, France on May 14, 2023.
Also, he was recorded in history as the race winner at the 1000th FIM Grand Prix.
This marks his second victory of 2023, following Argentine GP and MotoGP career.
Marco Bezzecchi moved up to top on lap 11 after overtaking Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM), then proceeded to dominate by 4.256 seconds to win.
Pramac Ducati riders, Jorge Martín (Pramac Ducati) and Johann Zarco (Pramac Ducati) completed the podium in 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Augusto Fernandez (Tech3 GASGAS) finished a career-best 4th, Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) was 5th on the sole-remaining factory Aprilia.
Sprint Race runner up, Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM) finished 6th.
The chaotic 27-lap race, where only 13 riders finished.
Pole sitter Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) crashed out on lap 5 in a collision with Maverick Viñales (Aprilia Racing) as they debated third place.
Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Ducati) lost the front of his Ducati at the Dunlop chicane on the exit of the corner on lap 6, then contacted with Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati), and both riders crashed out.
Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) battled Jorge Martin for 2nd place, but he crashed out on lap 22.
Jack Miller crashed on lap 25. Joan Mir (Repsol Honda) and Alex Rins (LCR Honda) crashed out of the race in separate incidents.
Marco Bezzecchi said, “It was an unbelievable day for me. Honestly this morning I didn't expect to have this kind of race. But already yesterday I felt good on the bike and I knew with a good start I could make something more – obviously didn't expect a win, but anyway a good race. Then today when I started I saw that I was faster than the guys in front of me. But I was a bit afraid for the front tyre temperature because with this front tyre I was a bit on the limit for my riding style. But I was able to overtake them, once I got in the lead I was able to put on a good pace and I was feeling very well with my bike and I was able to escape.”
This result marks Marco Bezzecchi just one point off the championship leader Francesco Bagnaia.
He continued, “It's good to be close to Pecco for the moment. But honestly I'm still not thinking about the championship. First of all, we saw having the sprint and the main GP in the same weekend, it's very easy to lose everything very quickly. So, I just want to continue like this, thinking weekend by weekend, race by race, enjoying my bike with the guys [in the team] who are fantastic. Now we go to Mugello, so it will be a very nice weekend.”
SHARK Grand Prix de France Race Results- Marco Bezzecchi / Mooney VR46 Ducati / 41m 37.97s
- Jorge Martin / Pramac Ducati / +4.256s
- Johann Zarco / Pramac Ducati / +4.795s
- Augusto Fernandez / Tech3 GASGAS / +6.281s
- Aleix Espargaro / Aprilia Racing / +6.726s
- Brad Binder / Red Bull KTM / +13.638s
- Fabio Quartararo / Monster Yamaha / +15.023s
- Fabio Di Giannantonio / Gresini Ducati / +15.826s
- Takaaki Nakagami / LCR Honda / +16.370s
- Franco Morbidelli / Monster Yamaha / +17.828s
- Danilo Petrucci / Ducati Lenovo / +29.735s
- Lorenzo Savadori / RNF Aprilia / +36.135s
- Jonas Folger / Tech3 GASGAS / +49.808s
Photo by MotoGP- source : MotoGP
