Marco Bezzecchi Interview
About this episode
Marco Bezzecchi talks through his dominant MotoGP start—three wins in the first three races—crediting relentless effort from himself, his team, and the factory for bike development and his own adaptation. He breaks down the 2027 rule changes, emphasizing that riders can only provide feedback while the sport adapts, with tires and a smaller engine likely reshaping riding style. He also weighs Liberty Media’s impact, the switch from Philip Island to Adelaide, and his experience at COTA, plus thoughts on racing other disciplines like Supercross and Dakar.
MotoGP
"Marco, complimenti, grandi complimenti for the season so far. What a way to start the year in MotoGP. How much are you enjoying it?"
MotoGP is the highest level of professional motorcycle racing. Riders race specialized bikes on tracks, and it’s one of the biggest motorsport series in the world.
MotoGP is the top class of motorcycle road racing, run under the FIM and organized by Dorna. It features factory teams and prototype bikes, with riders competing on closed circuits around the world.
first three races of the season
"Well, you've gone through the first three races of the season with three wins, and I know before I got on a few rolls like that,"
Doing well right at the beginning helps because it builds confidence and puts you near the top of the points race. It can also change how hard everyone else is pushing.
A strong start early in a season matters because it sets momentum and confidence for both the rider and the team. In series like MotoGP, early results also affect championship standings and pressure dynamics.
adapt to the bike
"Also myself as a rider, because at the end I needed to adapt to the bike, I wasn't riding in the best way possible at the beginning, so I think it was a combination between the two,"
Even if the bike gets better, the rider still has to learn how it feels. “Adapt to the bike” means adjusting your riding style so you can use the bike’s strengths.
“Adapt to the bike” highlights the rider-bicycle matching process: even with upgrades, the rider must learn the bike’s behavior and adjust technique to extract performance. This is a two-way loop—bike development and rider adaptation happen together.
factory
"Also myself as a rider, because at the end I needed to adapt to the bike, I wasn't riding in the best way possible at the beginning, so I think it was a combination between the two, so the factory for sure improved a lot the bike and bring us many, many developments that were super positive,"
The “factory” is basically the official manufacturer team behind the bike. They have engineers and resources to bring upgrades and help the bike improve.
In MotoGP, the “factory” typically refers to the manufacturer-backed team and its engineering resources. A factory can bring major development support—new components, testing capability, and technical direction—that helps the bike evolve quickly.
developments
"so the factory for sure improved a lot the bike and bring us many, many developments that were super positive, and I also tried to improve my riding and try always to give everything every session"
“Developments” are the upgrades and tweaks the team makes to the bike. They’re meant to improve how the motorcycle performs in real racing.
“Developments” in this context are the specific improvements the team brings to the motorcycle over time—often including parts changes and setup/calibration refinements. The speaker ties these developments to measurable gains in race performance.
every session
"and I also tried to improve my riding and try always to give everything every session and try to look at every detail to try to be riding in the best way possible."
“Every session” emphasizes the MotoGP workflow: riders and teams use practice, qualifying, and warm-up sessions to refine setup and technique. Consistent effort across sessions helps turn development progress into race-ready performance.
regulation changes for 2027
"As you go through all the development and all the things that happen, you've got regulation changes being talked about for 2027."
Racing series sometimes change the rules that control how the bikes/cars are built. When the rules change for 2027, teams have to redesign parts to fit the new requirements, and that can change how fast and how the machine behaves.
The sport’s technical rules are scheduled to change for 2027, which forces teams to redesign key systems to comply. In motorsport, these rule shifts can dramatically affect performance, development priorities, and how much influence riders/drivers have on the final direction of the machine.
F1
"to try to not get in a position like F1 has with their cars and the technical regulations this year?"
F1 is Formula 1, the highest-profile open-wheel racing series. The speaker is using it as an example of what can happen when rules and car design get complicated.
F1 (Formula 1) is used here as a benchmark for how a top-level series’ technical rules can impact car design and competitive balance. Mentioning F1 highlights the concern that regulation changes can lead to unintended consequences for teams and performance.
give our feedback in the best way possible
"Well, at the end, the only thing that we can do is try to give our feedback in the best way possible."
The rider’s feedback helps the team understand what’s working and what isn’t. When the rules can’t be changed, good feedback is how the team still improves the bike.
Rider feedback is a key input to development, especially when rules are already fixed and teams must adapt within constraints. The goal is to provide actionable information (how the bike behaves in specific conditions) so engineers can target setup and development changes efficiently.
working on a new bike is always different
"because at the end, working on a new bike is always different."
Building a new bike is harder than updating an old one because you’re starting from a different “feel” and performance baseline. The rider and team have to work closely to dial it in.
Developing a new bike is different because teams must learn the new platform’s baseline behavior before fine-tuning. That often means more testing cycles, faster iteration on setup, and tighter coordination between riders and engineers to translate feedback into engineering changes.
Michelin
"We are used to the Michelin from many years, and we will move to Pirelli that is, of course, both tires are fantastic, but anyway, are different."
Michelin makes racing tires. If you’ve been using Michelin for a long time, switching to something else can change how the bike grips and feels, so you have to adjust.
Michelin is a major performance tire manufacturer, widely used in motorsport and known for consistent tire behavior and development. In racing, switching away from a long-used tire brand often means riders must relearn how the tire builds grip and how it behaves during braking and acceleration.
Pirelli
"and we will move to Pirelli that is, of course, both tires are fantastic, but anyway, are different."
Pirelli also makes racing tires. Even though they’re both great, a new tire brand can feel different, so riders may need to change how they brake, accelerate, and turn.
Pirelli is another top-tier performance tire brand with a strong motorsport presence. When a rider moves to Pirelli from Michelin, the tire’s characteristics—like grip onset, heat behavior, and wear—can differ enough that setup and riding style need adjustment.
braking
"to understand very well how to ride it in braking, in acceleration, how it feels under the bike, this engine."
Braking is when you slow down before a corner. If the tires or engine feel different, you may need to brake a little differently to keep the bike stable and gripping.
Braking is where tire grip and engine braking/weight transfer matter most, especially after technical rule changes. When tires or engine characteristics change, riders often need to recalibrate braking points and pressure to maintain stability and traction.
acceleration
"to understand very well how to ride it in braking, in acceleration, how it feels under the bike, this engine."
Acceleration is how the bike speeds up when you open the throttle. If the engine is different, it may pull differently, so riders have to learn the right throttle timing.
Acceleration response depends on the engine’s torque curve and how traction is managed through the tires. With a new engine generation, riders may need to adjust throttle timing and how aggressively they apply power out of corners.
power delivery
"but is it going to be power delivery? Is it going to be aero? [536.8s] Is it going to be... Or is it, like all these things,"
Power delivery is how the engine sends power to the wheels. It’s not just how much power you have, but whether it comes on smoothly or abruptly when you twist the throttle.
Power delivery is how the engine’s torque arrives to the rear wheel—its smoothness, responsiveness, and how it behaves as RPM and traction change. In motorcycle racing, power delivery strongly affects traction management when exiting corners.
aero
"I think the tires, but at the end, [590.2s] also the aero make another step. [595.2s] So we will see. I don't know."
Aero is how the bike interacts with the air. Changes to aero can make the bike feel more stable or less stable, especially when turning and braking.
In racing, “aero” refers to aerodynamic forces like downforce and drag that shape stability and cornering grip. If aero rules change, riders may feel different front-end behavior and different balance under braking and corner entry.
reach the limit step by step
"At the end, to find the limit, there are many different ways to reach the same result... At the end, you try to reach the limit step by step..."
It means you don’t try to go as fast as possible immediately. You build up gradually so you can feel when the bike starts to lose traction. That way you learn the safe limit without crashing as often.
“Reach the limit step by step” describes progressive learning: increasing pace and/or aggression gradually to avoid sudden loss of traction. This approach helps riders identify the exact point where grip falls off and build confidence with consistent feedback.
tires
"...lap by lap, you get more information from what you are trying, from the bike, from the tires and everything."
Tires are what actually grip the track. As you ride, they heat up and wear, and that changes how much traction you have. The rider uses that feedback to learn how close they can go to the limit.
“Tires” are central to motorcycle performance because they determine traction, braking grip, and how quickly the bike transitions through a corner. Riders learn the limit by feeling how the tires respond as they heat up, wear, and interact with the track surface.
Liberty Media
"Marco, when we look at this season, a big change for MotoGP recently, obviously, was the acquisition by Liberty Media."
Liberty Media is a company that helps run sports media. In MotoGP, that can mean more exposure and changes to how the series is run and shown.
Liberty Media is the company behind major sports media and broadcasting operations. Their involvement in MotoGP typically affects commercial strategy, global reach, and event presentation.
Dorna
"Of course, already Dorna did a wonderful job till now, but I think that together they can make everything even better."
Dorna is the organization that helps run MotoGP. The speaker is saying Dorna has done a great job already, and that adding Liberty could make things even better.
Dorna Sports is the company that organizes and promotes MotoGP, handling commercial rights and event management. The guest credits Dorna’s work for the series so far, implying Liberty’s involvement will build on that foundation.
Philip Island
"and one of the favorite circuits in the world, in Philip Island... I mean, we will try to make a last dance in Philip Island"
Philip Island is a well-known race track in Australia. It’s famous in motorcycle racing, so riders and fans really care about it.
Philip Island is a famous Australian circuit known for fast flowing corners and strong fan atmosphere. In MotoGP, it’s considered a classic venue, so losing it from the calendar is treated as a big deal.
Adelaide
"we will go to Adelaide... racing in the city with the bikes will not be easy"
Adelaide is a city in Australia. The idea is that MotoGP will race there, which can be different from racing on a purpose-built track.
Adelaide refers to the Australian city that the conversation says MotoGP will visit next. City racing changes the environment versus traditional circuits, often requiring careful safety planning and track setup.
super long chicane
"The first part, especially with this super, super long chicane..."
A chicane is a twisty section that slows you down and forces you to change direction. If it’s very long, it can be especially tricky to brake and turn smoothly.
A chicane is a sequence of alternating turns that forces braking and direction changes, often to reduce speed and create a technical section. A “super long chicane” implies a longer, more demanding braking/turning zone that can affect tire wear and corner exit drive.
Formula One
"Could he possibly go and race Formula One? And there was such a buzz. I'm sure you remember it too, there was such a buzz around it."
Formula One is the highest level of car racing in the world. The cars are very specialized, and racing them is totally different from riding a motorcycle.
Formula One (F1) is the top tier of open-wheel racing, run by teams with highly specialized cars and strict technical rules. It’s a different discipline from motorcycle racing, so switching requires adapting to a completely different vehicle, tires, and race strategy.
Ferrari
"Of course, we are Italian, so we love Ferrari, obviously. But now we are Italian, and he's Italian as well. So I'm very proud to be able to follow his way in Formula One."
Ferrari is a famous Italian car brand, and they also race in Formula One. It’s a big deal in racing culture, especially in Italy.
Ferrari is an iconic Italian performance and racing brand, best known for its Formula One team and road cars. The speaker mentions loving Ferrari as part of being Italian and following the path into F1.
Supercross
"Supercross, would you come and do Supercross? I went to see Supercross, not in the US."
Supercross is motorcycle racing on a track full of jumps and obstacles, often in stadiums. It’s one of the biggest kinds of dirt-bike racing.
Supercross is a form of off-road motorcycle racing held on indoor stadium tracks with jumps, rhythm sections, and tight turns. It’s a major discipline in motocross culture, and the speaker is discussing whether they’d want to compete in it.
difference of timing
"We follow always the races from home, but it's not easy with the difference of timing"
They’re saying it’s hard to watch races live because of time differences. If you’re in another country, the race might happen at an inconvenient hour.
“Difference of timing” refers to time-zone or scheduling differences when watching races from home. For international riders and fans, broadcasts and live events can be difficult to follow in real time.
Dakar
"Would you do the Dakar? I follow also the Dakar, because my dad is very passionate about trucks, he's a mechanic. Of course, I love to watch the Dakar as well. I know Petrucci that went there, and won also one race, so it's super nice also the Dakar."
The Dakar is a huge off-road race across tough terrain. It’s famous for being really demanding, not just for fast driving but for handling rough conditions for a long time.
The Dakar Rally is a long-distance off-road motorsport event known for extreme navigation and harsh terrain. It’s typically contested by cars, trucks, and motorcycles, and winning requires both speed and reliability over thousands of kilometers.
riding style
"At the end, the difference between the riding style in four wheels and in two wheels is huge. First of all, we move a lot outside the bike..."
Riding style means how a rider controls the vehicle—how they steer, brake, and use their body in corners. The way you do that on a bike is very different from doing it in a car.
“Riding style” here refers to the technique and body positioning used to control the vehicle—throttle/brake application, line choice, and balance through corners. The podcast emphasizes that two-wheel and four-wheel styles have “huge and different characteristics.”
track day
"So it could be fantastic to make a track day with Formula One and MotoGP all together trying to give us some advices..."
A track day is when people go to a race track to practice and learn, not to compete in a formal race. The idea here is mixing F1 and MotoGP people to share tips.
A track day is a non-race event where drivers/riders can run on a circuit for practice and learning. The segment imagines a combined MotoGP/F1 track day to exchange advice, but notes scheduling constraints.
crash
"The four-wheel guys are just, all we worry about is how we're going to crash. And they worry about nothing. They don't worry about crashing. You already talked about it earlier. I'm not worried about crashing."
They’re talking about crashing risk in racing. In racing, crashes can ruin your session or even your whole weekend, so drivers think about it differently depending on the vehicle.
The discussion contrasts how F1 drivers and motorcycle riders think about crashing risk. In motorsport, crashes aren’t just about fear—they directly affect strategy (session timing, tire wear, damage repair) and can end a weekend.
approach every weekend
"And everything's going so great. How do you continue this run now? Do you have to approach every weekend almost as something unique and individual"
They’re talking about how each race weekend is different. The track changes, so the car setup and the way the driver drives often has to be adjusted.
In F1, each race weekend is treated as a unique problem because circuits differ in layout, braking zones, tire demands, and weather sensitivity. That means teams and drivers often change setup and driving approach from one weekend to the next to maximize performance.
early in the championship
"It is a unique race. [1364.4s] So, it's so early in the championship. [1366.9s] In the championship, that is, I think, useless"
“Early in the championship” highlights that the points standings are still forming, so teams may avoid locking into title-chasing calculations too soon. The focus is often on learning, consistency, and staying in contention.
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