Marco Bezzecchi won the title of best MotoGP rookie. Valentino Rossi’s pupil talks about the contracts of the riders.
Valentino Rossi’s Mooney VR46 team concluded its first season in MotoGP by winning the title of “best rookie” with Marco Bezzecchi. Not just an acknowledgment for a team in its first real experience in the premier class and for a satellite team that aims to train young talent to be promoted in the factory team. The Academy of Tavullia confirms itself as a breeding ground for young talents and champions, as demonstrated by the world title conquered by Pecco Bagnaia.
For the ‘Bez’ and his crew chief Matthew Flamigni the start of the ’22 season was by no means easy, either due to the rider’s lack of experience coming from Moto2, or due to the impossibility of fully sharing the data with his teammate in the garage. But after the first top 10 in Argentina came 2nd place in Assen Grand Prix, just behind Bagnaia. An encouraging result for the VR46 team which can also put Marco’s pole obtained at Buriram, in Thailand, in its personal register.
Marco Bezzecchi and the MotoGP contracts
In an interview for the French edition of ‘Motorsport.com’, Bezzecchi talks about the pressure and expectations of a MotoGP rookie. “I think I was under the same pressure as the other riders. Unfortunately as a driver and in sport in general, there is always a lot of pressure and you only stay if you get results“. Its first vintage went beyond all expectations, even thanks to one Ducati Desmosedici very competitive and its ability to keep a safe distance from the social and media world. “When you are good, people always expect more from you. If it doesn’t go well, people make comments without knowing the facts.”
His other colleagues e rookies they weren’t as lucky as him, think of Darryn Binder who will have to return to Moto2, and Remy Gardner, who moves to World SBK. Marco Bezzecchi breaks a spear in their favor: “In my opinion a pilot needs at least two years, always. It doesn’t matter who the pilot is and in what class, there is always an adaptation process. I think the riders deserve at least a two-year contract“.
The pupil of VR46 Academy he immediately benefited from a two-year contract, which allowed him to make his debut with relative tranquillity. But he is well aware that already in 2023, with a Ducati GP22 available, he will have to raise the bar in terms of results to carve out a place on the grid in the future as well: “It will be even more important with two races in each weekend. It’s something to work on. We will have to try to get results and keep calm in certain situations“.
