What could be better than learning from the greatest of them all? The answer is quite obvious. As for the bikes, the alpha rider is obviously Valentino Rossi and one of the most interesting talents among those produced by his Academy is Marco Bezzecchi. Already a title in the trophy cabinet and a class on two wheels that this year is coming out as perhaps never happened to him in his career.
The beginnings, the success in Moto3 and the meeting-turning point with Valentino Rossi
Born in Rimini on November 12, 1998, Bezzecchi grew up on piadina and minibikes. Emilia Romagna has a sort of spiritual bond with two wheels, as confirmed by the many talents - including Bezzecchi - born in this land: from Loris Capirossi to Fausto Gresini to Andrea Dovizioso, Marco Melandri, Manuel Poggiali and the timeless Marco Simoncelli. His father Vito, owner of a truck workshop in Rimini, passed on to him a passion for speed and in particular for motorcycles. A relationship that was initially a bit conflictual, but then became visceral.
His father Vito remembers him, in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport: "At the beginning, if he heard a motorcycle approaching, he would pick up and throw himself into the grass. And my wife, 'but what do you take him to do, don't you see that he is afraid?'. But then the next day, Marco would come back to the charge: 'Dad, shall we go shoot?'. And we were back on track." He begins, as already anticipated, to race with minibikes dreaming of one day reaching MotoGP. His career changed in 2015, when he became Moto3 champion and met the man who for many two-wheel enthusiasts is more a deity than a simple idol: Valentino Rossi.
The multi-decorated champion from Pesaro opened the doors of his Academy to him, where he grew and matured as a driver and as a person. A sliding door in a positive sense, as Bezzecchi himself confirms: "Without Valentino it would have been almost impossible to do it. His meeting was fundamental for me. He gave me a chance to get to the World Championship, he took me into his team in Moto2 and then took me to MotoGP ". The marriage with the VR46 team - managed by Uccio Salucci and chaired by the Doctor - materialized in 2019, after having come close to an encore in Moto3 in 2018. In that World Championship he won 3 victories and a total of 9 podiums, but in the end he finished in third place behind the Spaniard Jorge Martin and his compatriot Fabio Di Giannantonio. That season was followed by an interim one, with the Red Bull KTM Tech 3 team. The last chapter of the first part of his young career, and then opened many others under the protective wing of his idol Rossi.
The first years in Valentino Rossi's team: close title in Moto2 and arrival in MotoGP
Bezzecchi's career therefore took a turn in 2020, the first year in which he raced for the SKY Racing Team VR46. Riding a Kalex, the rider from Rimini participates in a Moto2 World Championship with strong blue hues. In fact, 3 of the 4 main candidates are Italian for the title. In fact, there are also Enea Bastianini and Luca Marini, racing with Bez and with the Englishman Sam Lowes.
Bezzecchi started with the handbrake on, and then grew as the months went by, winning the Styrian Grand Prix and finishing second in the next two races scheduled in San Marino and Misano. The challenge with the other Italian riders and with Lowes keeps fans and insiders in suspense until the last chapter, which sees the four contenders all in the running for the final victory. In the end, Bastianini came out on top, with Bezzecchi having to deal with the mockery of finishing off the podium.
However, the pride of having fought until the end remains, as well as the desire to redeem himself in 2021. Compared to the previous year, excluding Lowes, the other contenders for the World Championship have changed. Bastianini and Marini were replaced by Raul Fernandez and Remy Gardner, two opponents who proved to be particularly valid. From the first races, in fact, it was clear to everyone – including Bezzecchi – that the duel for the final victory was between the two of them.
With a 4-point advantage, the Australian Gardner prevails over the Spaniard Fernandez. Bezzecchi has the satisfaction of having improved one position compared to the previous World Championship: the triumph in Moto2 did not come, but now the rider from Rimini is ready for the last step. In 2022 the opportunity to participate in the MotoGP World Championship arrives, the Eden for every two-wheel rider.
For Bezzecchi it was a very formative year, with a joy – second place in Holland – and many difficult races. The Rimini rider learns, does not let himself be discouraged by the many races that ended far from the podium and pours all this knowledge into the World Championship currently underway. Podiums are pouring in – even on the top step – from the first rounds of the season, thus bringing the Rimini rider currently in third place at -54 from the leader Francesco Bagnaia. Bezzecchi has plenty of time at his disposal: not only to recover Bagnaia, but to leave an indelible mark on motorcycling during his young but already satisfying career.
Marco Bezzecchi's 2023 Season
In 2023, Marco Bezzecchi consolidated his talent in the MotoGP championship with the Mooney VR46 Racing Team. During the season, Bezzecchi has shown remarkable consistency and competitiveness, taking several podiums and his first MotoGP victory. His performance has led him to be one of the leading contenders for the title, showing great growth and maturity as a driver. His commitment and dedication have received wide acclaim among fans and insiders, establishing him as one of the most promising emerging talents in the category.
Marco Bezzecchi's 2024 season
The 2024 season promises to be just as exciting for Marco Bezzecchi. Continuing with the Mooney VR46 Racing Team, Bezzecchi aims to further improve his performance and aim for the world title. With more experience and a solid team behind him, Bezzecchi is ready to compete with the best MotoGP riders. The first races of the season have already seen Bezzecchi in difficulty due to the poor feeling with the GP23, we will see if in the second part of the season he will be able to climb back up the slope and bring home a victory.
Future outlook for 2025
Looking to the future, Marco Bezzecchi has the potential to make a significant mark on the world of MotoGP. With the support of the VR46 Academy and the guidance of Valentino Rossi, the rider from Rimini is in a privileged position to continue to grow and achieve new goals. Bezzecchi's determination and talent make him one of the riders to keep an eye on in the coming seasons.
