Looking back on the start of the 2024 MotoGP season, it is tempting to criticize Marco Bezzecchi’s decision to join Valentino Rossi’s VR46 team instead of accepting a factory Ducati contract. However, it would be unfair to judge this decision based on the outcome of the season. Bezzecchi’s choice to stick with his mentor and ride a year-old bike was controversial, but it wasn’t irrational. He had witnessed the success of a year-old Ducati in the hands of his VR46 crew and believed that starting the season on a more developed bike would benefit him in the long run. He also knew that his ultimate goal was to secure a factory seat in 2025, so he wanted to avoid any potential setbacks that could arise from adapting to a new team and bike during contract negotiations. While this decision was not without its problems, it was a calculated risk, as many decisions in this sport are.
However, the problem lies in the fact that Bezzecchi’s gamble has not paid off so far. After three tests and one MotoGP round with the 2023 Ducati Desmosedici, Bezzecchi has noticed that something is not quite right. The bike’s engine character is different from what he was used to, causing difficulties in braking and turning. He struggled particularly at Sepang but believed he had made progress during the Qatar pre-season test, only to face disappointment in the season opener. The issue seems to be related to engine braking, which reminds Bezzecchi of Enea Bastianini’s struggles with the same bike last year. Bastianini has since improved, thanks to his recovery from injuries and his better understanding of the GP24. Meanwhile, Bezzecchi finds himself as the outlier among the Ducati riders in Qatar.
During a qualifying session, Bezzecchi was outperformed by his fellow Desmosedici riders, despite receiving a tow from another rider. He ended up in 15th place and his performance on Saturday was a disappointment. In the warm-up session on Sunday, he briefly showed some improvement, but it was overshadowed by his struggles in the race. Front locking issues affected his corner entry speed and caused his pace to be inconsistent. This also led to excessive wear on the rear tire, forcing him to switch to a more conservative engine map halfway through the race. Bezzecchi acknowledges that his peers on the GP24 and even his teammate, Fabio Di Giannantonio, are faster than him. He lacks confidence in the front end of the bike, which affects his ability to brake and turn, ultimately leading to a loss of corner speed and early tire degradation. Despite these challenges, Bezzecchi is working hard to improve and remains determined.
There is no doubt that Bezzecchi will have his moments in the 2024 season, just as Bastianini did in 2023 despite facing injuries. However, if the goal of continuity in 2024 was to set the stage for a successful 2025 season, it is clear that this strategy is currently failing. While Bezzecchi’s decision to join VR46 instead of Pramac may not have been a needless mistake, it may be seen as an error in hindsight, which is ultimately what matters in this situation.