Marco Bezzecchi reflects on miraculous near-miss in Japan practice

Pulse Sports Team 16:11 - 02 October 2026

Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi admitted he rode his luck after narrowly avoiding a violent crash during Free Practice 1 for the Japanese MotoGP Grand Prix.

The 2026 season has been a campaign of stark contrasts for the Italian across the opening 15 rounds. On one hand, his year includes dominant victories in the first three rounds and at Mugello, alongside gritty performances through injury at tracks like Silverstone and Aragon. On the other, he has endured heavy crashes that took a physical toll—most notably during the race at Assen and in qualifying at the Sachsenring.

At the Motegi circuit, Bezzecchi came dangerously close to another major incident. He lost the rear of his machine off-throttle into Turn 11—the very same damp patch that had earlier caught out Takaaki Nakagami, resulting in a fractured collarbone for the Japanese rider.

"I started my day with an incredible save," Bezzecchi said after the practice session in Japan. "The problem was that I could see light raindrops on the track, but the tarmac looked completely dry everywhere else. There was no dampness in the braking zone into Turn 11 either. When I turned in, I noticed a darker patch, but with the new surface, I couldn't tell if it was just the asphalt itself. I walked the track yesterday, but seeing it on foot is always completely different to being on the bike. I only realized it was wet once the bike was already sideways. I got super lucky."

The Italian added that keeping the bike upright was a blend of instinct and sheer fortune: "If I had to explain exactly how I saved it, honestly, I don't know. It was down to luck and quick reactions. Sometimes you pull it off, other times you don't, even when you make the exact same inputs. Straight after that, I returned to the pits and thought, 'Let's wait a bit, because I've suffered enough this season.'"

Bezzecchi also expressed his sympathy for his Japanese rival: "Unfortunately, I saw what happened to Taka. It's a huge shame for him because any injury is a tough blow, so I wish him a speedy recovery. Plus, he's racing at home, and having him on track was fantastic for the local fans. I hope to see him back very soon."