Bezzecchi Doubts Silverstone Repeat After Sprint Podium

Marco Bezzecchi has admitted he doubts he can repeat his Silverstone Sprint podium on Sunday, with his physical condition still not fully recovered after injuries sustained at the German MotoGP.

The Aprilia Racing rider impressed in the Sprint, making up places after a tough start, dropping to fifth before fighting back in the second half as the Ducatis of Marc Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio suffered with tyre wear. He took third—his first podium since the Sprint at Balaton Park in May.

But when asked about his chances of repeating that performance over Sunday's 20-lap race, Bezzecchi was blunt: "Honestly, I don't think so. It will be hard to wake up feeling like today. It could already be a good result if I wake up tomorrow and feel similar to now—pretty bad, but at least the same."

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He added that the longer distance will be a big challenge, hoping Jorge Martin starts slowly so the pace isn't too high, allowing him to conserve energy for a few extra laps. "If the pace can be a little bit slower, I can manage for a couple of laps more. Then I try to survive," he said.

The injuries to the left side of his body are still hampering him. He admitted feeling exhausted after qualifying, saying he was "destroyed" physically. "I felt super-tired during the Sprint. Four laps from the end, I really felt a drop in my physical performance. It was tough," he said.

For Sunday, Bezzecchi hopes the medium tyre will help him last longer. "I hope the medium will help. With the soft it was tough, and the soft this year is harder than last year. I tried the medium this morning and it wasn't too bad. If it can help, maybe it gives me one or two laps, not more," he concluded.