Marco Bezzecchi Blames Binder for Turn One Clash, Bagnaia Says He ‘Couldn’t Do Anything’
The San Marino Grand Prix provided MotoGP fans with a dramatic race, but not without controversy. The spotlight fell on a first-lap collision that involved Marco Bezzecchi, Brad Binder, and Pecco Bagnaia, which set the tone for the race and left some of the leading riders frustrated.
The clash occurred right at the start of the race at Turn One, as the riders, tightly bunched together, jockeyed for position. Marco Bezzecchi, riding for Mooney VR46 Racing Team, collided with KTM’s Brad Binder, who had been aggressive from the start. The contact sent shockwaves through the grid, causing Bezzecchi to lose his position and ultimately leading to a challenging recovery for him. The fallout of this first-lap melee also affected reigning world champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia, who found himself caught up in the aftermath of the chaos.
From Bezzecchi’s perspective, the blame squarely lay on Binder’s shoulders. Speaking after the race, Bezzecchi didn’t mince words, accusing Binder of being overly aggressive in the first turn, compromising not only his race but also that of others.
In his post-race debrief, Bezzecchi expressed frustration over the collision, claiming that Binder had been too forceful.
“Brad went into Turn One like he had no brakes. It was over the limit, and he caused chaos for several of us. I understand that at the start, everyone wants to gain positions, but there has to be a balance between being aggressive and respecting others on track,” Bezzecchi stated.
The Italian rider, currently one of the most promising figures in MotoGP, had a strong qualifying session and was expected to challenge for a podium. However, the early collision sent him into a recovery mode for much of the race, ultimately dashing his hopes of a top finish.
Bezzecchi further explained that he was left with no space to maneuver, making it nearly impossible to avoid the crash.
“It’s disappointing because we worked hard all weekend, and an incident like that ruins everything. I had no room to move, and it was clear that the aggression from Brad in the first turn created a domino effect,” he added.
Binder, known for his aggressive riding style, defended his actions, dismissing the notion that he was at fault for the incident. The KTM rider, who has developed a reputation for pushing boundaries, attributed the clash to the nature of close racing at the start of any MotoGP race.
“It’s always tight in the first corner, especially when everyone is pushing hard to get ahead. From where I was, it felt like a normal racing incident. I didn’t mean to hit anyone, and I think there was just a lot of movement with the pack being so close. I’ll need to look at the footage again, but it’s part of racing,” Binder remarked.
Despite the clash, Binder managed to finish the race but was far from satisfied with the result, feeling that he could have placed higher without the early scuffle.
Francesco Bagnaia, who entered the race as the reigning MotoGP champion and a favorite, was also swept up in the aftermath of the collision. The Ducati rider, who was coming off a challenging period following his crash in Barcelona a few weeks earlier, struggled to avoid the fallout from the Binder-Bezzecchi incident. Although he did not directly clash with either rider, the resulting congestion affected his momentum and strategy.
Pecco reflected on the incident with a sense of resignation, noting that it was impossible for him to evade the chaos.
“I couldn’t do anything,” Bagnaia said, explaining his situation after the race. “It all happened so quickly, and by the time I saw the incident unfold, there wasn’t much room to react. When you’re in that pack, especially at Turn One, it’s like being in a funnel. I lost my position and had to work extra hard to recover from it.”
While Bagnaia managed to finish the race in a respectable position, he acknowledged that the first-lap drama set back his efforts to claim victory or a podium spot. His disappointment was palpable, particularly given that the San Marino GP is considered a ‘home race’ for the Italian rider, who hails from nearby Turin.
The incident had broader implications for the MotoGP championship standings. Bezzecchi, who had been closing the gap on the leaders, saw his chance to gain crucial points diminished due to the crash. Although he fought valiantly to make up lost ground, the early incident cost him significant time and positions.
Bagnaia, still nursing injuries from his previous crash, also saw his title hopes affected by the race. He had been looking to solidify his lead in the championship, but the setback meant his rivals were able to chip away at his points advantage.
For Binder, the incident underlined the fine line between aggressive and overly aggressive racing. While he avoided serious repercussions from the incident, the criticism from Bezzecchi may force him to reassess his approach, especially in crucial early laps.
As the dust settles from the San Marino GP, the focus now shifts to the remaining rounds of the MotoGP season. For Bezzecchi, the incident serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of racing, but he remains determined to put the clash behind him and focus on the next races. Binder, while unapologetic about his actions, will likely review the footage to understand if his approach can be adjusted to avoid further incidents.
Bagnaia, ever the consummate professional, will no doubt continue to manage his physical recovery while navigating the intense pressures of the title race. For all three riders, the collision at Turn One in San Marino will be a defining moment in their seasons, one that underlines both the thrill and the perils of MotoGP racing.
In a sport where milliseconds and inches can determine the outcome, incidents like these are a stark reminder of the razor-thin margins at play. With the championship still wide open, every race, every turn, and every decision will matter more than ever. For Bezzecchi, Binder, and Bagnaia, how they respond to this moment will define their campaigns going forward.
