Marco Bezzecchi Achieves Maiden Win at 2023 Argentina MotoGP
- AP Photo/Antonio Calanni
VIVA – Mooney VR46 Ducati rider Marco Bezzecchi won the Argentina MotoGP at the Termas de Rio Hondo Circuit on Monday morning. This victory also delivered the first victory for a Ducati team owned by motorcycling legend Valentino Rossi.
The Italian rider Bezzecchi finished ahead of Frenchman Johann Zarco with Alex Marquez, who started in pole position, rounding out an all-Ducati podium.
Bezzecchi also took the lead in the overall standings after world champion Francesco Bagnaia, the winner of last weekend's season-opener in Portugal, crashed off the circuit while running in second place before recovering to finish in 16th.
Bezzecchi had started in second place on the grid but swept past Marquez on the opening lap and was rarely troubled to take the chequered flag by 4.085sec.
Alex Marquez di MotoGP Argentina 2023
- AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko
"Normally I'm not very good when it rains, but today the sensations were incredible," said the Italian who now has a nine-point lead in the championship.
The wet circuit made it difficult for riders at the start of the race. Brad Binder crashed at the third corner, and Fabio Quartararo went wide. Luckily, they were still able to continue the race.
Bagnaia also crashed and was able to continue the race. But that made his position slipped and ended the race in 16th place.
Here are the race results of the 2023 Argentina MotoGP:
1. Marco Bezzecchi ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) 44m 28.518s
2. Johann Zarco FRA Pramac Ducati (GP22) +4.085s
3. Alex Marquez SPA Gresini Ducati (GP22) +4.681s
4. Franco Morbidelli ITA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +7.581s
5. Jorge Martin SPA Pramac Ducati (GP23) +9.746s
6. Jack Miller AUS Red Bull KTM (RC16) +10.562s
7. Fabio Quartararo FRA Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) +11.095s
8. Luca Marini ITA Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP22) +13.694s
9. Alex Rins SPA LCR Honda (RC213V) +14.327s
10. Fabio Di Giannantonio ITA Gresini Ducati (GP22) +18.515s
11. Augusto Fernandez SPA Tech3 GASGAS (RC16)* +19.380s
12. Maverick Viñales SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) +26.091s
13. Takaaki Nakagami JPN LCR Honda (RC213V) +28.394s
14. Raul Fernandez SPA RNF Aprilia (RS-GP22) +29.894s
15. Aleix Espargaro SPA Aprilia Racing (RS-GP23) +36.183s
16. Francesco Bagnaia ITA Ducati Lenovo (GP23) +47.753s
17. Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM (RC16) +48.106s
