By Marcella Gallace
Marco Bezzecchi is an up-and-coming star in MotoGP, he has flair, he has hair (lots of it!) but most of all, he has talent.
He made his Moto3 debut in 2015, as a wildcard entry, the same year that he became the CIV Moto3 champion. It wasn’t until 2017 that the Italian was signed to compete full-time in Moto3, where he spent the year finding his form.
In 2018, just his second season in the lightweight class, Bezzecchi really shot through with a string of podiums, earning him a bag full of points. This saw the VR46 Academy rider finish third in the Moto3 championship and he was quickly moved up to the intermediate category for the following season.
He was signed to Valentino Rossi’s Moto2 team in 2020, where he remains under the watchful eye of his mentor Vale and although not confirmed, there is much talk that Bezzecchi will move up to MotoGP next year.
I chat to the young talent about pre-race rituals and nerves as well as physical and mental fitness in racing at a professional level.
Do you have any pre-race rituals or a particular routine you follow on race day?
If you look at the TV images or at the video on the team social media accounts [VR46 Academy], I’m always touching the tank of the bike on the grid in the minutes just before the start. Just me and my Martina – the nick name of my bike. Then, the last thing before my crew leaving the straight is giving them a big hug.
For people who have never raced at the highest competitive level and for 40 minutes straight, it is hard to know how important physical fitness is - Can you explain how and why your fitness effects how you race? Considering the high level of the category it will be impossible to be competitive if [you’re] not 100% fit. Physical training is crucial – on the flying lap too, not only on the race distance.
Would you say exercising the mind and maintaining a healthy mindset is essential to your success as a rider. And if yes, how does it affect your abilities as an athlete?
Yes, for sure! A happy rider is a fast rider.
The most important thing is not having stress or critical atmosphere inside the squad. In our team, the atmosphere is like a big family. Then the support of family, friends, girlfriend…can make the difference.
Are you most nervous on the grid, during the race or on the last lap?
There are so many different emotions in a race of 20 laps. During a whole race honestly - I can feel the pressure before going into the grid. Then I’m calm, I can feel my bike and I can enjoy the race and give my best too.
Do you talk to your bike at all during the race? If so, what do you usually say?
Not talk – but before the start I just gave her a big kiss.
If it were possible to listen to music while racing - what song would always be on your playlist?
A mix of rap music and Bob Marley.
If you could watch any movie again for the first time - what movie would it be and why?
Rush – because it perfectly explains how it feels to be a rider or a driver.
If you could share your training time with any other athlete in the world, who would it be and why? Conor McGregor