In MotoGP, Marco Bezzecchi affirms that Valentino Rossi is “not a team owner who pretends” and “is the first guy who comes to help” when things don’t work well.
Bezzecchi experienced a breakthrough second season in the premier class, competing with the VR46 Ducati team and securing three Grand Prix victories, ultimately finishing third in the championship standings. Despite receiving a factory deal from Pramac, he has opted to stay with VR46 for 2024, choosing to ride a year-old bike. Bezzecchi cites his attachment to the human connections within the team as a significant factor in his decision.
Although Rossi, a nine-time Grand Prix world champion, isn’t directly engaged in the day-to-day operations of the VR46 team, he maintains an active role in supporting all Academy members off the track, contributing to their ongoing development.
When asked in an interview how it is dealing with the pressure & expectations of being associated with Valentino Rossi’s team, Bezzecchi replied “it’s more of a privilege” than anything because of the support he gets from the doctor himself, MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi.
“Well, it’s like this. The pressure is there but it’s normal in every sport,” he said.
“When you arrive in a high level you have to perform and deal with pressure and you know that the pressure is going to come sooner or later.”
“So, it’s normal. But you know, I am lucky because I ride with the team from Vale from Moto2 already.
“I think it’s more a privilege than a pressure because in the end, Valentino worked with me for many years and he helped me every time.
“He’s not a team owner who pretends. He wants you to go fast, but if you are struggling he is the first guy who comes to help, together with the squad of course.
“But you know, it’s still a satellite team. This makes the difference in MotoGP. When you are in a factory team, it’s a different way to work, it’s a different way to approach races, testing and everything.
“It’s normal. It’s part of the job. You represent a brand after and now I represent just a team… I say ‘just a team’, it’s also a no less than a brand as it’s Valentino Rossi’s team”
Next season, Bezzecchi will be partnered with Fabio Di Giannantonio, marking the inaugural instance of a non-VR46 Academy rider competing with the squad at any level of the world championship.