MotoGP Misano 2 J1: Marco Bezzecchi (Ducati) Struggles with Speed, Cites Straight-Line Deficit
The first day of action at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli for the second MotoGP round in Misano was a day of mixed fortunes for Marco Bezzecchi. The Italian rider, a fan favorite and part of the VR46 Racing Team, encountered significant challenges during the Friday practice sessions. Despite his efforts to keep up with the front runners, Bezzecchi pointed out a major issue that hindered his performance: his bike was considerably slower on the straights, a factor that became a focal point of his post-session analysis.
After the opening day of practice, Bezzecchi openly addressed the issues that plagued his performance. “I was very slow on the straight,” he admitted, visibly frustrated by his Ducati’s lack of top speed compared to his competitors. For a rider known for his aggressive style and ability to make up time in the corners, this deficit on the straights came as a major blow.
In the world of MotoGP, straight-line speed is critical, especially at a circuit like Misano, which, while technical and demanding in terms of cornering, also rewards riders who can maximize their speed on the longer straight sections. Bezzecchi’s Ducati, renowned for its power, seemed to be underperforming in this area, leaving the Italian in a vulnerable position when it came to making up ground against riders on faster bikes like the factory Ducatis or the Yamahas.
Bezzecchi’s struggles on the straight did not entirely overshadow his day. His cornering ability, which has often been his strength, was still sharp, allowing him to recover some lost time in the more technical sections of the track. The VR46 rider, who has had a solid season thus far, worked tirelessly with his team to try and find a setup that would allow him to compensate for the bike’s deficiencies on the straight.
“We have to find a solution because I feel good in the corners, but I lose everything on the straights,” Bezzecchi explained. His team, including his crew chief Matteo Flamigni, immediately began analyzing data to understand where the bike was losing speed. It was clear that adjustments needed to be made not just in terms of power delivery but also in aerodynamics and electronics to improve his overall lap times.
The Misano circuit holds a special place in the hearts of Italian riders, and for Bezzecchi, racing at his home Grand Prix adds both pressure and motivation. With the stands filled with passionate fans waving Italian flags and chanting his name, Bezzecchi is eager to deliver a strong result. However, with the speed issue on the straights, his path to a podium finish looks considerably more challenging than he might have hoped.
“I want to give the fans a good show,” he stated, “but right now, we need to focus on fixing the bike.” The Ducati GP23 he is riding is one of the most competitive machines on the grid, but the intricacies of setup and fine-tuning are critical, especially at a circuit as nuanced as Misano.
While Bezzecchi was struggling with straight-line speed, his teammates on Ducati machinery, including reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia, were having less difficulty in that department. Bagnaia, who is known for his precision on the straights, did not report similar issues, raising questions about whether Bezzecchi’s bike setup or riding style might be contributing to the problem.
The comparison with Bagnaia and other Ducati riders such as Enea Bastianini puts additional pressure on Bezzecchi and his team to quickly find a solution. The VR46 team is no stranger to overcoming adversity, having guided several riders to success in MotoGP, but this particular challenge will require all of their technical expertise and experience.
Looking ahead to the rest of the weekend, Bezzecchi remains hopeful but realistic. He knows that without addressing the straight-line speed issue, his chances of competing for a top-five finish, let alone a podium, are slim. “We’re going to work hard tonight and see what we can do tomorrow,” Bezzecchi said optimistically. “There’s still time to turn things around.”
The MotoGP paddock is a fast-moving environment, where even minor adjustments can make a significant difference. Bezzecchi’s team will be looking at a variety of potential solutions, from adjusting the bike’s electronics and power output to experimenting with different aerodynamic setups that might allow him to cut through the air more efficiently on the straights.
Marco Bezzecchi’s first day at Misano 2 has been anything but easy. Faced with a clear disadvantage in straight-line speed, the Italian rider is now in a race against time to find a solution that will allow him to compete at the front of the pack. With the passion of his home crowd behind him and the technical expertise of the VR46 team at his disposal, Bezzecchi will be hoping to turn things around as the weekend progresses.
The road ahead is challenging, but Bezzecchi’s resilience and determination could see him fight back and deliver the kind of performance that his fans have come to expect. As the Misano weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on the Italian rider to see if he can overcome this hurdle and deliver a memorable result on home soil.
