Marco Bezzecchi was handed two long-lap penalties after colliding with Marc Marquez on the opening lap of last weekend’s Indonesian MotoGP.
The penalty will be enforced during the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island on Sunday after a hearing before the FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel was postponed while Bezzecchi underwent tests in hospital.
Although expected, the penalty was a huge blow to Bezzecchi’s Phillip Island hopes.
The Aprilia rider is seen as the favorite to win this weekend after his dominant pole position and dramatic sprint win at Mandalica, but he now needs to overcome a setback of around six to eight seconds.
Bezzecchi also had a bad start at the Indonesian Grand Prix, clipping the back of Marquez’s bike at Turn 8.
Marquez suffered a coracoid fracture and ligament damage in his right shoulder in the high-speed accident, which was sustained in a collision with a gravel trap and later required surgery in Madrid.
The newly crowned MotoGP champion will miss at least the next two races, with Ducati test rider Michele Pirro taking his place this weekend.
Bezzecchi’s teammate Jorge Martin and Tech 3’s Maverick Vinales also missed the Australian round due to injury.
“I caused the accident due to irresponsible driving.”
A statement from the FIM Stewards regarding Bezzecchi’s punishment read as follows:
“On October 5, 2025, during the MotoGP race at the Indonesian Pertamina Grand Prix, it has been determined that you rode irresponsibly at Turn 8, causing a crash involving rider #93.
“This is contrary to the specific instructions given to MotoGP competitors and teams and is considered irresponsible riding that poses a danger to other competitors.
“This is therefore a violation of Article 1.21.2 of the FIM Grand Prix World Championship Regulations.”
“Penalty Description:
“In accordance with the penalty protocol issued to the team, this act is considered an incident of type MGP-CC5: start/start of the lap of the race. Act that creates a dangerous situation for multiple riders and/or causes a crash.”
“As this is the second violation of the season, the appropriate penalty in this case is a double long lap penalty.”
After the incident, Bezzecchi apologized to Marquez, saying, “I made a mistake today and unfortunately I got Marquez involved as well. I am very sorry. I apologize to him and all his staff.”
“Please don’t harbor any hard feelings towards Marco. No one did this on purpose,” Marquez wrote on social media.