Marco Bezzecchi on the Difficulties of Overtaking in Motegi: ‘For Me, It Was a Shock’
Motegi, home to the Twin Ring circuit, is a venue that presents unique challenges to riders in MotoGP. Known for its fast straights, tight corners, and challenging braking zones, it demands technical prowess and precision. For Marco Bezzecchi, a rising star in MotoGP, the 2024 race at Motegi was particularly striking. In a post-race interview, he confessed that the challenges of overtaking on the circuit were far more intense than he had expected, describing the experience as a “shock.”
Bezzecchi’s 2024 season has been filled with ups and downs. The VR46 rider has shown flashes of brilliance throughout the year, securing podium finishes and thrilling fans with his aggressive riding style. However, some circuits have proved to be particularly difficult, and Motegi was one that stood out due to its unique characteristics.
The Italian rider, who has been battling at the top end of the grid throughout the season, knew that Motegi would be challenging. Yet, it was not until the race unfolded that the true scale of the difficulty became apparent to him.
Motegi is a circuit that is fundamentally different from many others on the MotoGP calendar. Originally built as a test track by Honda, the circuit features two distinct configurations—a road course and an oval—and its layout is a mixture of tight, technical sections and long straights. The Twin Ring is notorious for its heavy braking zones, making it an unforgiving track when it comes to overtaking.
The start-stop nature of the circuit puts a significant strain on riders, as they need to maintain a delicate balance between aggressive braking and smooth corner exits. The long straights also mean that top-end speed is crucial, putting those who are slightly underpowered at a disadvantage. For Bezzecchi, all these factors made Motegi a much tougher track to master than he had anticipated.
In his post-race reflection, Bezzecchi candidly spoke about his struggle to make up positions during the race. “For me, it was a shock,” he said. “I knew Motegi would be difficult, but I didn’t expect the overtaking to be this hard.” He explained that despite feeling competitive in terms of pace, overtaking riders ahead of him was almost impossible in certain sections of the track.
One of the primary issues he faced was the challenge of finding the right moment to make a pass. The nature of the braking zones at Motegi leaves little room for error. Riders must brake hard and late, yet remain composed enough to maintain their racing line through tight corners. Bezzecchi noted that several times during the race, he was forced to abandon overtaking attempts because the risk of contact or crashing was too high. “The braking points are so critical here,” he said. “If you’re not absolutely perfect, you lose the chance.”
Another aspect of the race that compounded Bezzecchi’s difficulties was managing tire wear. The heavy braking at Motegi puts extra stress on the tires, particularly the front, which needs to withstand enormous pressure under braking. Bezzecchi acknowledged that tire management became an additional challenge in the latter stages of the race, making it even harder to mount an offensive against riders in front of him.
“By the second half of the race, I could feel the front tire starting to go,” he explained. “When that happens, you really have to be careful with how you approach the corners, and that means you can’t be as aggressive with overtaking as you would like.”
This forced Bezzecchi to adopt a more conservative approach, choosing to protect his position rather than risk losing more ground by attempting risky overtakes. “I had to focus on keeping my position and making sure I didn’t push the tires too far. It’s frustrating because you want to attack, but sometimes you have to accept that it’s not the day to take those kinds of risks.”
Despite the challenges, Bezzecchi remains optimistic about his future performances at Motegi. He views the experience as a valuable lesson in racecraft, understanding that not every race allows for aggressive tactics. “Motegi taught me a lot,” he said. “Sometimes you have to race with your head, not just your heart. It’s easy to get frustrated when you can’t overtake, but in the end, you have to think long-term.”
Bezzecchi also acknowledged that the team would need to look at ways to improve their setup for circuits like Motegi. While he didn’t point to any specific weaknesses, he noted that the bike’s performance in tight, technical sections was an area that could be improved.
As Bezzecchi continues to mature as a rider, experiences like the one at Motegi will shape his approach in future races. The Italian is still one of the brightest young talents in MotoGP, and his ability to learn from difficult races is what sets him apart from many of his peers. “I’m not happy with how things went today, but I know I’ll come back stronger,” he concluded.
The next time Bezzecchi returns to Motegi, he will be armed with a deeper understanding of what it takes to succeed on one of the most demanding tracks in MotoGP. Fans and rivals alike will be eager to see how he adapts his strategy, knowing that his resilience and determination have already marked him as a formidable contender.
In the broader context of the MotoGP season, Motegi serves as a reminder that no race is easy, and every circuit brings its own set of challenges. For Bezzecchi, the shock of Motegi was a humbling experience, but also a catalyst for growth—one that will no doubt pay dividends as his career continues to rise.
