MotoGP championship leader Marco Bezzecchi was banned from Sunday's Czech Grand Prix after striking a track steward in the face following a crash during Saturday's sprint race, MotoGP officials confirmed.
Incident During Sprint Race
The 27-year-old Italian Aprilia Racing rider crashed out of the sprint with two laps remaining. Footage broadcast on TNT Sports showed Bezzecchi running toward a steward, pushing him, and then slapping him in the face as the steward stood over his bike in the gravel trap.
“Bezzecchi will not take part in the Czech GP,” MotoGP stated on its website.
Official Ruling and Appeal
A document issued by the FIM MotoGP Stewards informed Bezzecchi that “following a crash you pushed and struck circuit Marshals who were trying to recover your machine … That is an infringement of Article 3.3.2.2, an action ‘prejudicial to the interests of the sport.”
Aprilia lodged an appeal against the stewards' decision on Saturday, but appeal stewards upheld the verdict. Aprilia subsequently announced it would not protest further.
Impact on Championship Hopes
The ban is another setback for Bezzecchi’s quest for his first MotoGP title, following his failure to finish the Hungarian GP two weeks ago when his teammate Jorge Martín took him out on the first turn. Adding to Aprilia's difficulties, Martín must serve two long-lap penalties for causing that crash.
Apology and Aftermath
Bezzecchi issued an apology “to everyone, Aprilia Racing and my fans” in a statement. He said: “I would like to apologise to the entire MotoGP community for my behaviour toward the trackside marshal. I’m also sorry because I know how much effort and sacrifice marshals make to ensure our safety. This behaviour shouldn’t happen and there is no justification for it.”
On Sunday, MotoGP posted a video of Bezzecchi personally apologizing to the steward and embracing him.
Sunday's Main Race
Marc Márquez claimed victory in Sunday's main event on a scorching day in Brno, securing his second consecutive win after dominating in Hungary two weeks ago. Pole sitter Ai Ogura of Japan finished second, ahead of Márquez's factory Ducati teammate Francesco Bagnaia.
Both riders quickly overtook Ogura, with Bagnaia striking on the first lap and Márquez following seconds later. Márquez, a seven-time MotoGP world champion, then circulated patiently behind his teammate, narrowing the gap to a tenth of a second by the 11th lap. Five laps later, the Spaniard swept past Bagnaia and raced away to earn his fifth MotoGP victory on the Brno circuit.
Championship Standings
Despite the ban, Bezzecchi still leads the overall standings with 180 points, ahead of Martín with 172, Ducati’s Fabio Di Giannantonio on 157, and Marc Márquez with 140.
