Bezzecchi explains why he did not sign MotoGP Qatar letter

Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi says he did not join 19 colleagues in signing a letter against racing in Qatar because he always trusted the organisers. The letter, sent amid security concerns linked to the Iran war, said the riders would not race unless MotoGP personally took responsibility for anything going wrong. MotoGP did not change its position and threatened sanctions against riders and teams who boycotted the event. Yamaha withdrew from the race under a company travel policy regarding the Middle East.

Bezzecchi, along with Ai Ogura and Johann Zarco, did not sign the letter. Bezzecchi acknowledged that racing in Qatar suited his fading championship hopes, but said the issue had been raised a long time ago and that he believed the organisers would not send riders somewhere without being sure. He said he was happy with his decision.

The Qatar Grand Prix went ahead as planned. On Friday evening, military activity in Qatar and the wider region raised tensions, and the US issued a security alert to its citizens in the Gulf, while reports said talks to end the war had broken down again.