In a relentlessly dramatic British Grand Prix at Silverstone, Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) emerged victorious, ending Aprilia’s winless streak at the perfect moment. The Italian rider took the checkered flag ahead of Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR), while Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) battled back from a crash during a red-flagged stoppage to secure third place in a thrilling podium fight.
The race was marred by a series of dramatic events, with Marc Marquez, Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) all crashing out. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), who had been leading the race comfortably, suffered a heartbreaking technical issue that forced him to retire.
At the start, Alex Marquez took the lead but crashed at Turn 1, followed by incidents involving Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) and Aleix Espargaro (Honda HRC Test Team), which brought out the red flags due to an oil spillage. Before the race was stopped, Marc Marquez also crashed while leading. However, as the incidents occurred before three laps had been completed, all riders were eligible to restart the race, albeit on their second bikes.
In the restarted 19-lap race, Bagnaia grabbed the holeshot, but Quartararo quickly took the lead at Turn 3. As the race progressed, both factory Ducatis encountered issues, with Bagnaia crashing out at Luffield. Quartararo’s lead grew to over 5 seconds, but disaster struck when a technical problem with his rear ride height device forced him to retire, handing the lead to Bezzecchi.
With Bezzecchi in the lead, Zarco and Marc Marquez engaged in a battle for second, while a fierce fight for the final podium spot ensued between Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP), Franco Morbidelli, Alex Marquez, and Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing).
On the final lap, Morbidelli and Marc Marquez traded places multiple times, with Marquez ultimately securing third place by the slimmest of margins ahead of his brother Alex and Morbidelli.
Bezzecchi crossed the line 4.6 seconds clear of Zarco to claim his first victory for Aprilia, while Zarco’s second-place finish marked another impressive result following his French GP heroics.
Reflecting on his incredible win, Bezzecchi said, “It’s an incredible feeling – difficult to describe. Last season was complicated, so I had decided to undertake this new adventure and Aprilia has always believed in me. I couldn’t dream of a better first win with Aprilia. The team is working extremely well, as is the staff in Noale, and I am extremely happy and grateful to all of them. We must never stop working. It won’t be easy, but we have never given up and we have never stopped believing.”
Acosta finished sixth ahead of Miller, while Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), and Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) completed the top ten. Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) initially finished eighth but was demoted due to a post-race tyre pressure penalty.
The British Grand Prix proved to be an unforgettable encounter, with Bezzecchi and Aprilia celebrating a much-needed victory, while Quartararo was left to rue what might have been after a technical issue robbed him of a potential return to the top step of the podium.
