Marco Bezzecchi avoids crash at Motegi Grand Prix

Marco Bezzecchi narrowly avoided a major crash during the first free practice session of the Japanese Grand Prix at the Motegi Circuit. While navigating the recently resurfaced Turn 11, the Aprilia Racing rider encountered unexpected wet patches on the track caused by overnight rain and low temperatures. Bezzecchi managed to save his RS-GP from a highside, but chose to return to the pit lane to wait for better conditions, citing a desire to avoid further injury following several crashes and previous knee and shoulder injuries this season.

Shortly after Bezzecchi’s near-miss, Honda wildcard rider Takaaki Nakagami suffered a severe crash in the same corner, resulting in his withdrawal from the remainder of the weekend. Despite the scare, Bezzecchi finished the session in fourth place, trailing the fastest rider, Alex Marquez, by 0.218 seconds. His teammate, Jorge Martin, also showed strength by finishing eighth and securing a spot in Q2.