Chasing the MotoGP championship, rivals Marc Márquez and Marco Bezzecchi reflected on a “scary” yet “amazing” slipstream duel that decided the Aragon Grand Prix.
During the sixth lap of the 23‑lap race, reigning champion Márquez maneuvered his Ducati onto the inside of Bezzecchi approaching Turn 15, echoing a similar pass he had executed on teammate Jorge Martín earlier in the event.
Bezzecchi responded with a stronger exit, and the two riders battled side‑by‑side down the back straight, their bikes drawn together by aerodynamic suction before Márquez edged ahead with a later braking point.
The overtake stood out as one of the season’s most thrilling moments, and both competitors shared detailed insights into the encounter after the checkered flag.
Bezzecchi’s perspective
Bezzecchi explained that his track position limited his ability to respond to Márquez, as he was positioned too far left to brake effectively for the final corner, which also opened the door for Pedro Acosta to intervene.
The KTM rider took advantage by holding his braking later and passing on the outside. Bezzecchi added, “We had an amazing battle with the air and the aerodynamic effect.” He continued, “I heard his bike so I knew he was gonna try a move at the chicane. So, I said, ‘okay I try to cut and go out super quick and at least have a battle for a couple of corners’.”
“His bike accelerated really well, my bike too, so we were close. It was a strange feeling because with the air I was going close to him but I didn’t want to go too close.” He described the sensation: “So the air was like sucking me and then pushing me away, and the same thing happened three, four times.”
“The bike was moving and all the straight was, I was like this and saying where he was going to brake. I wanted to brake later, but I was too much on the left and I lost the place to Pedro.”
“I wanted to make Pedro’s life a little bit harder. I think that he was gonna beat me anyway, but at least to have a more fight was better, but it was not possible for me.”
Marquez’s perspective
Marquéz lost the early lead after a rear ride‑height issue dropped him to third, but he reclaimed the position from Martín quickly and then waited behind Bezzecchi before striking.
Before the race reached the 33% mark, he initiated his decisive push, pressuring the pole‑sitter Bezzecchi while Acosta remained close behind.
The side‑draft effect kept the duo tightly packed, and Márquez admitted to experiencing a brief wheelie while powering down the back straight.
“It was an incredible moment. A scary moment,” he said, reflecting on a move that elevated him to second in the championship standings.
“There was one moment there on the end of the straight that I felt like the bikes were sucking each other. We were attached. I tried to go on the right side, but even in sixth gear had a small wheelie and it was impossible to get away from his bike.”
“But at one point Marco gave up a bit because he was in a dirty [air] place. And then from that point we did the race.”
“It was a scary moment, but a good show for the fans.”
Acosta’s perspective
Acosta seized the opening created by the duel between the title rivals, overtaking Bezzecchi’s Aprilia and moving into the lead before Márquez re‑asserted himself.
Marquéz then began to extend his advantage halfway through the race, posting a series of laps around the 1m46s mark and forcing Acosta into second place.
When asked for his view of the lead battle between Bezzecchi and Márquez, Acosta replied, “It was my moment to try to catch Marc and Marco and try to ride with them.” He continued, “Marco was putting an amazing pace at the beginning of the race and Marc was really putting efforts to catch him back. I was just trying to follow the pace.”
“They were both on the left and I was just trying. I was a bit in the slipstream and then I just went to the right. I was in the right position.” He added, “Even if I have to use the kerb a bit, it was an easy move for the speed that I was coming.”
Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing
Photo by: Burak Akbulut / Anadolu via Getty Images
