Looking at the start of the 2024 MotoGP season, it’s tempting to criticize Marco Bezzecchi’s decision to join Valentino Rossi’s VR46 team instead of accepting a contract with Ducati’s factory team. However, it would be unfair to judge this decision based on the season’s outcome. Bezzecchi’s choice to stay with his mentor and ride a bike from a year ago was controversial, but not irrational. He witnessed the success of a year-old Ducati in the hands of his VR46 team and believed that starting the season on a more developed bike would be beneficial for 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. Although this decision was not without its challenges, 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 yet. After three tests and one MotoGP round with the 2023 Ducati Desmosedici, Bezzecchi realized that something is not right. The bike’s engine character is different from what he was used to, causing difficulties in braking and cornering. He struggled especially in Sepang, but believed he had made progress during pre-season testing in Qatar, only to face disappointment at the season opener. The issue seems to be related to the 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 Ducati riders in Qatar.
During a qualifying session, Bezzecchi was surpassed by his Desmosedici teammates, despite receiving a slipstream 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 this was overshadowed by his difficulties in the race. Front wheel locking issues affected his entry speed into corners and caused inconsistent speed. 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 GP24 colleagues and even his teammate, Fabio Di Giannantonio, are faster than him. He lacks confidence in the front end of the bike, which affects his braking and turning ability, leading to a loss of speed in corners and early tire wear. 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 lay the groundwork for a successful season in 2025, it is clear that this strategy is currently failing. Although Bezzecchi’s decision to join VR46 instead of Pramac may not have been an unnecessary mistake, it can be seen as a mistake in hindsight, which is what really matters in this situation.
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Dramatic events unfolded during the football match between Brazil and Argentina last night. The game, which took place at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, was interrupted after health officials invaded the field to remove four Argentine players who had allegedly violated Brazil’s quarantine rules.
The confusion started when Brazilian authorities received information that four Argentine players – Emiliano Martínez, Giovani Lo Celso, Cristian Romero, and Emiliano Buendía – did not comply with the quarantine rules imposed by the country. According to Brazilian rules, travelers coming from the United Kingdom, South Africa, and India must quarantine for 14 days due to the coronavirus variants present in those countries.
The Argentine players were accused of violating these rules, and therefore, Brazilian authorities decided to interrupt the game and remove them from the field. The situation generated a lot of confusion and discussion among the players, technical staff, and even the fans present at the stadium.
After the intervention of the authorities, the Argentine players were escorted off the field and taken to a police station to provide explanations. It is still unclear what the consequences will be for the players and for the match itself.
The match between Brazil and Argentina was highly anticipated by football fans, as it was a South American classic. Unfortunately, the game was marked by this regrettable incident, which will certainly have repercussions in the world of football.
Brazilian and Argentine authorities are working to clarify what happened and take the necessary measures to prevent similar situations from happening in the future. Meanwhile, football fans eagerly await more information about the outcome of this controversial match.
