The fifth on the opening lap for Le Mans Sprint meant that Marco Betzecki was finally located to take advantage of the race pace he thinks he has owned since pre-season testing.
But when his RS-GP got shaky when he braked on another bike slipstream, it all went wrong.
“I went into gravel again and lost the race again,” he said.
The Italians only managed to save 17th in the finish, but was named the fourth-fastest lap in the race, and kept pace with the Podium Trio for most of the 13 lap distance. Bezzecchi was also the fastest rider on track on the final lap.
Le Mans Sprint Lap Time: Top 9 + Marco Betzekki
Bezzecchi said of the “shaking” he is experiencing behind other MotoGP bikes:
“The problem comes more when I’m in someone else’s slipstream because when I’m alone I don’t really emphasize the braking bike.
“But when I’m in the slipstream and I have to force another stop with the brakes, the bike starts moving.
“When I was alone, I had a few moves, but not as big as I had when I was older.”
This issue is more important early in the race, when riders not only get closer to each other, but carry more fuel and fresh tires.
“It’s more difficult at first with the fuel tank and the whole new tire. But from the (Hellez) test, we took a step in that area, so Aprilia got off track as well as at home, which also helped to improve,” he explained.
“But still, this kind of movement – I need to understand at least how to manage ways to save a little more.
“Maybe I’ll try to stop the bike in a way I don’t know yet, but I have to understand.”
Bezzecchi confirmed that the technology that was used to keep the previous VR46 Ducati calm in such circumstances will not be transferred to Aprilia.
“Of course, I tried something like calming my old bike down and jumped on my new bike and quickly, but this one isn’t working.”
Truckhouse rider Raul Fernandez finished 10th as Le Mans Sprint’s top Aprilia rider.
Betzekki then collided on his way to 14th with two pit stops to properly stick to the wet tires for a Sunday Grand Prix reboot.
“Through the weekend, we saw a great speed from Marco – unfortunately, it hasn’t been demonstrated with proper results, but I’m sure they’ll arrive soon. Hard work always pays off.”
Lorenzo Sabadri was the only rider who chose smoothly before the sighting rap, instead of the injured Jorge Martin, whose future for Aprilia is now uncertain – the only rider who chose to go smoothly before the sighting lap.
After a penalty-free bike change, Savadori finished in 9th place.
Meanwhile, Johann Zarko’s Honda victory will leave only KTM and Aprilia unhappy on the podium so far this season.
KTM lost second place by Qatar’s Maverick Vinaru due to a tire pressure penalty.
