During the Saturday Qatar Grand Prix sprint race at Losail, a high-speed encounter between Marc Marquez and Marco Bezzecchi reshaped the championship narrative. While Marquez drifted slightly off his optimal line, Bezzecchi seized the inside line, pushing the Ducati rider wide. The Italian re-entered the corner, the two bikes tangled, and Marquez’s airbag deployed, ending Bezzecchi’s title hopes for 2026.
Rivola’s criticism of the stewards’ decision
Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola took to the DAZN studio on Sunday to outline why he believes the race officials missed a clear opportunity to sanction Marquez. He argued that the decisive factor in any incident is which rider could have avoided the contact. “Marco, without a doubt, could not have avoided it. Therefore, if it wasn’t Marco, it seems clear to me that it was Marc,” Rivola insisted, pointing to video footage that showed Marquez closing in on Bezzecchi rather than the opposite.
Rivola also highlighted the broader context, noting that the clash occurred in a crucial sprint race—a shortened contest that determines the grid for the main Grand Prix and where penalties usually carry over to the feature race. “I don’t agree with what happened yesterday, nor with what’s happened today,” he said, emphasizing that the timing amplified the impact on the championship battle.
Technical perspective from Aprilia
Speaking about his team’s advantage, Rivola said Aprilia’s strength lies in cornering precision, allowing riders to stay closer to the ideal racing line. “If you take the corners in the same way as the rest, you take them faster,” he noted, adding that Bezzecchi’s calm corner entry briefly gave him an edge before the collision unfolded.
Weekend results and championship implications
Despite the crash in the sprint, Bezzecchi recovered dramatically to claim victory in the Sunday Grand Prix, keeping his title aspirations alive. Jorge Martin finished seventh on the sister Aprilia, while Marquez, after serving no penalty, crossed the line second, extending his lead in the riders’ standings to 60 points. The incident also triggered Marquez’s safety system, with the airbag inflating at the moment of impact—a reminder of the sport’s continual push for rider protection.
Rivola concluded without pursuing an appeal, noting that the stewards’ rulings are not subject to challenge. “We’re not appealing. These decisions aren’t subject to appeal,” he said, while still expressing sympathy for Bezzecchi: “I’m sorry about what happened to Bezzecchi; I think he deserved to be in a position to fight for the title right up until the end of the year.”
