Valentino Rossi has accepted his “responsibility” after persuading Marco Bezzecchi to remain with the VR46 team despite other offers.
Bezzecchi had the opportunity to switch to Pramac and ride a factory-spec Desmosedici this season but opted to stay with VR46.
Rossi expressed his satisfaction with Bezzecchi’s decision, especially after the rider clinched his first podium of the season at the Spanish MotoGP.
“We are very happy for Bez,” Rossi told Sky Italia from the Jerez paddock. “I feel like I have a lot of responsibility because he chose to stay with us and race with the old bike, with which we had some problems. Marco has great potential and must continue to bring out those tenths from the bike like he did here in Jerez. It was beautiful, an important podium first of all for him, but also for the team.”
Bezzecchi had a breakthrough season last year, winning his first grand prix in Argentina and maintaining a title challenge until hindered by an injury.
Despite his loyalty to VR46, Bezzecchi’s performance this year has not matched the previous season’s standout results. P6 in Portimao was his best finish before Jerez, where he finished behind Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez.
While Bezzecchi has faced challenges adapting to the GP23 compared to the GP22 from the previous year, Rossi remains supportive of his decision to stay with the team.
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