'I felt amazing' - Marco Bezzecchi wins Dutch sprint race, Brad Binder controversially denied podium place
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Updated 24/06/2023 at 14:13 GMT
So far, everything is going to plan for Marco Bezzecchi. The Mooney rider secured his first-ever sprint race victory to continue his momentum after a stellar qualifying performance which ensured the Italian began in pole. Compatriot Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati finished second, while Brad Binder was controversially denied third with a lap penalty, enabling Fabio Quartararo to finish third.
Marco Bezzecchi won the sprint race at the Dutch Grand Prix
Image credit: Getty Images
Marco Bezzecchi continued his fantastic weekend at the Dutch Grand Prix after claiming his first sprint race victory at Assen and a first pole of the season.
The Mooney rider took full advantage of his pole position after an excellent performance in qualifying, while the podium was completed by Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo of Yamaha.
Bezzecchi took his place in an all-Italian front row alongside Bagnaia and Luca Marini. Despite a fine display from Bagnaia, the latter came in a disappointing eighth place.
However, the race was not without controversy after Red Bull’s Brad Binder was denied a podium finish and given a three-second lap penalty for exceeding track limits.
Speaking to BT Sport after the race, Bezzecchi said: “I felt amazing today on the bike. I started well, but I made a mistake on the first corner and I lost two places.
“Fortunately, my pace was good to come back and I had a good fight with Brad and Pecco (Francesco Bagnaia). I'm very happy, I hope the fans enjoyed this race. It's fantastic for me, so thanks to everybody.”
Bagnaia raced into an early lead ahead of Binder, while Bezzecchi was briefly pushed down into third ahead of making a huge charge forward to go past Binder.
It was a race of supreme quality from Bezzecchi, who surged past Bagnaia and would increase his lead over the reigning world champion.
Meanwhile, Q1 winner Johann Zarco endured a frustrating race after seeing both Alex Miller and Alex Marquez surpass him in the space of four corners. The Ducati rider would finish 13th.
Bezzechi was comfortably cruising through his 13 laps following that electric start, leaving Bangaia and Binder in his wake.
Some complacency saw Bagnaia take a big chunk out of the Mooney rider's lead, but those hoping for a grandstand finish for first were left disappointed after Bezzecchi extended his lead to beyond a second.
The fight for the podium was far more intriguing, with Binder and Quartararo in a tense battle for third.
However, it was to be an incredibly frustrating race for Binder, with Quartararo the key beneficiary of the South African’s plight.
The Red Bull racer looked bemused and understandably dejected, setting up everything very nicely for Sunday’s Grand Prix.
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