Marco Bezzecchi’s 2024 season has been a far cry from his impressive performances last year. Currently sitting 12th in the championship with just 53 points and a single podium finish at Jerez, Bezzecchi’s struggles on Ducati’s GP23 have been apparent. This is a stark contrast to his 2023 season. Where he had 167-points and victories in Argentina and France at this stage, trailing Jorge Martin by just six points.
While the GP23 isn’t as competitive as the GP22, teammate Fabio di Giannantonio’s performances indicate something is off with Bezzecchi. Di Giannantonio, riding the same bike, has outscored Bezzecchi 92-53 and sits four places higher in the standings. Di Giannantonio’s success even earned him a direct move to Ducati’s factory team, with a contract for the latest-spec GP25 machinery in 2025.
Bezzecchi, however, has his future secured with Aprilia for 2025, where he will join Martin. Despite this, Bezzecchi acknowledges the need to improve his performance in 2024 to end his tenure with VR46 on a high note.
The 25-year-old realized the challenges ahead when he tested the GP23 bike at the post-season Valencia test last November. Despite finishing third in the standings on a year-old bike, the GP23’s characteristics. Combined with new Michelin tire compounds, have made it difficult for Bezzecchi to leverage his riding style.
“The GP23 offers extra grip, which ironically works against my riding style, causing rapid tire wear,” Bezzecchi explained. “The bike has more grip, especially mid-corner, but the new tires amplify this grip. Causing understeer and front-end push during braking and cornering.”
A crash at the Dutch GP, where he lost the front end after throttling at Turn 5, highlighted these issues. “I’m struggling with understeer and rear-end pushing the front, leading to my crash at Assen when I touched the gas,” he said.
Bezzecchi admits that Di Giannantonio has been more adept at handling the GP23. “I review the data constantly and see that other GP23 riders adapt quicker than I do,” he said. “I’m trying to adapt and improve my performance.”
Despite the challenges, Bezzecchi remains focused on adjusting his riding style to suit the GP23. “We work relentlessly to find the best combination between my riding and the bike’s capabilities,” he said. “Riding can make a significant difference, even more than the bike itself.”
Although repeating his 2023 race wins seems unlikely, Bezzecchi is determined to come back stronger in the second half of the season, giving his best effort to overcome the GP23’s challenges.
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