SILVERSTONE, United Kingdom — Timing is everything in sport and for Aprilia Racing, Marco Bezzecchi’s victory at the Tissot Grand Prix of the United Kingdom couldn’t have come at a better time.
In a drama-filled Sunday at Silverstone that saw Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) crash, and Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) suffer a heartbreaking technical issue while leading, it was Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) who finished second behind the Italian winner.
Quartararo took the lead on the opening lap and held it throughout the race while challengers came and went. But during the closing stages of the race, Bezzecchi was closing the gap when Quartararo slowed dramatically with a technical issue that caused the rear ride height device was stuck and despite the efforts of trying to disengage it for more than half a lap, the YZR-M1 was having none of it. Heartbreak for Quartararo and Yamaha. A potential return to the top step snatched away in such cruel circumstances.
However, Quartararo’s gut-wrenching end to the Grand Prix was Aprilia’s gain because that was the lead handed on a plate to Bezzecchi.
Zarco finished second.
Marc Marquez, following a red-flagged stoppage, was able to bounce back and pick up third in a podium fight then went down to the wire in an unforgettable Silverstone encounter.
He retains a 24-point lead over his brother Alex in the standings.
Frank Morbidelli was fourth for Pertamino Enduro, with Alex Marquez taking fifth for Gresini Racing.
