The countdown has begun, in a week the MotoGP riders will take to the track for the inaugural Grand Prix of the 2022 season, to be held in Qatar. There we will find Marco Bezzecchi, who debuts this year in the premier class with the Mooney VR46 Racing Team, the structure of Valentino Rossi that was presented yesterday.
The team of the nine-time world champion has removed the veils from the Desmosedici who will take to the track, embarking on the adventure of the Academy in MotoGP and doing it with Luca Marini and Marco Bezzecchi. The rookie, however, despite not having experience in the premier class yet, has already shown his talent on the GP21 during the pre-season tests held in Sepang and Mandalika. Bez’s goal is clearly to be the rookie of 2022, but first of all to be able to be competitive and be able to make the most of the Ducati he has at his disposal.
How was the presentation? Did you have fun? What do you think of the new livery?
“It was a special moment, a very beautiful one. It was nice to see the behind the scenes as well. The theater, the music, the people … Uccio, Vale, were all there. It was nice, I like the livery and everything is ready to start ”.
You are not yet the rookie of the year, but you will have one of the most experienced by your side, Matteo Flamigni. Do you feel the pressure or the confidence?
“At the moment I’m just a rookie, because the rookie of the year is decided at the end of the season. But at the moment with Matteo who has a lot of experience it will certainly be slightly easier to start and face the new challenges. It will be difficult for sure, but the team is nice, so I have good support ”.
You have as brand companions Pecco and Marini, who are part of the Academy and already have experience with the Desmosedici. Who would you rather ask questions or ask for advice? Pecco or Marini?
“I don’t prefer anyone, I like to ask everyone for advice, even the entire Ducati staff, who are all very nice. I have a good relationship with everyone, so it is easy to exchange information “.
Do you see the fact that you have the 2021 bike as a disadvantage or do you think it is an advantage for you to be able to look at last year’s data as well?
“For me it is not a disadvantage to have the bike from 2021 and not the current one. But I don’t have enough experience to ride the factory bike anyway, so it’s good for me to experience last year’s to learn how to ride it, how to handle the tires and everything else. When I have more experience, I would really like to have the factory bike, but that is not known until the time comes. For now, I’m fine, I have the opportunity to look at the data from everyone, to talk to the Ducati guys. I have a good package even if I don’t have the factory bike and I think I’m not even ready ”.
Is there a particular driver you will look to for inspiration?
“Pecco, Bastianini and Martin are strong, but Luca also drives well. I also think I have a similar style to Luca’s, even in Moto2 we weren’t too different. So I like to watch everyone, but I think they are the best “.
Looking to Qatar, will you start with the test setup or will you take some of the riders who used it last year?
“Honestly, I think we’ll start with the basic setup, I don’t know what Matteo will do for the bike. But I don’t have any information yet, so I think starting with another rider’s setup is more complicated and doesn’t work for me. So maybe we will start with a similar basis to that of the tests and then we will evolve, but this is Matteo’s work, so I don’t know ”.
Now you are in MotoGP, but for the very little experience you have had up to now, do you have to say that you are really in front of the best riders in the world or in the end, as happened to you at your debut in Moto3 and Moto2, are they just riders?
“It actually came to me to think so, but it also happened to me in Moto3 and Moto2. I used to say ‘here are the best Moto2 and Moto3 riders from all over the world’ and now I have reached a point where I believe there is nothing more than that. I said it and it still makes me a little weird ”.
What did you understand after the first winter tests? What were your first feelings?
“I understand the bike a bit, but there are many things to learn that I haven’t learned yet. But what I seem to have understood is that you have to be really precise especially in describing the electronics and be as clean as possible even in the time attack. In addition, the Ducati has a very large front end when braking, which I really like. The thing that made the most impression on me is that compared to Moto2 there is really a lot of difference between one brand and another. The different characteristics can be seen right on the track, where one loses compared to the other. It was nice to see other bikes doing completely different things, but it’s nice, the level of competitiveness is very high and they are all very aggressive ”.
Historically you are a rider who in the first year in Moto2 and Moto3 took a while to tailor the bike, but the following year you were always in the top 5, proving to be close to the best. Do you think that this kind of reasoning can also be made in MotoGP or do you think it is a completely different thing?
“The biggest difference with MotoGP is that arriving in Moto3 or moving from Moto3 to Moto2 you have to get used to rhythms that are a bit unnatural, coming from the national championships. Instead, switching from Moto3 to Moto2 was difficult because the bike is completely different, the full tank of petrol, the weight. From Moto2 to MotoGP the change is huge because the bike goes six times faster, but more or less you already know how a full tank of petrol works, the tires are the same size. More than anything else, you need to adapt the power guide and learn how to fix the electronics, which in my opinion is a very long process. But you learned most of the things from Moto3 to Moto2, so with the move to MotoGP I found myself in a little less difficulty ”.
What area struck you the most the first time you rode MotoGP?
“It was definitely the power, the acceleration, the speed with which the bike makes its way. It was an incredible thing the first time, especially in Jerez which is a bit tight and is even more effective. Then I would put the brakes on, because with such a speed being able to brake late is impressive thanks to all the technology behind it. Then I would say how much it folds … the folds that are made are absurd! After the first time in MotoGP it was strange but I had a big smile, I was incredulous. I don’t remember what I said exactly, but it was definitely some dirty word! ”.
Luca Marini, Marco Bezzecchi, Celestino Vietti, Niccolo Antonelli, VR46 Racing Team
Photo by: Media VR46
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