Marco Bezzecchi, the MotoGP championship leader, was banned from Sunday's Czech Grand Prix after slapping a track marshal in the face following a crash in Saturday's sprint race, MotoGP confirmed.
The 27-year-old Italian Aprilia Racing rider crashed out of the sprint with two laps remaining. Footage broadcast on TNT Sports showed Bezzecchi running toward a marshal, pushing him, and then slapping him in the face as the marshal stood over Bezzecchi's bike in the gravel trap.
Official Ban and Appeal
"Bezzecchi will not take part in the Czech GP," MotoGP stated on its official website. A document published by the FIM MotoGP Stewards association informed Bezzecchi that "following a crash you pushed and struck circuit Marshals who were trying to recover your machine … That is an infringement of Article 3.3.2.2, an action 'prejudicial to the interests of the sport.'"
Aprilia appealed the stewards' decision on Saturday, but the appeal stewards upheld the verdict. Aprilia subsequently announced it would not pursue further protest.
Bezzecchi's Apology
Bezzecchi issued a statement apologizing "to everyone, Aprilia Racing and my fans." He added: "I would like to apologise to the entire MotoGP community for my behaviour toward the trackside marshal. I'm also sorry because I know how much effort and sacrifice marshals make to ensure our safety. This behaviour shouldn't happen and there is no justification for it."
On Sunday, MotoGP posted a video showing Bezzecchi personally apologizing to the marshal and embracing him.
Impact on Championship
The ban is another blow to Bezzecchi's hopes of a maiden MotoGP title. He failed to finish the Hungarian GP two weeks ago after his teammate, Jorge Martín, took him out at turn one. Adding to Aprilia's difficulties, Martín must serve two long-lap penalties for causing that crash.
Despite the ban, Bezzecchi still leads the overall standings with 180 points. He is followed by Martín with 172, Ducati's Fabio Di Giannantonio with 157, and Marc Márquez with 140.
Sunday's Race Result
Marc Márquez won Sunday's main event on a scorching day in Brno, securing his second consecutive victory after dominating in Hungary. The pole sitter, Japan's Ai Ogura, finished second ahead of Márquez's factory Ducati teammate, Francesco Bagnaia. Both riders quickly overtook Ogura, with Bagnaia taking the lead on the first lap and Márquez following seconds later.
Márquez, a seven-time MotoGP world champion, then circulated patiently behind his teammate, narrowing the gap to a tenth of a second by the 11th lap. Five laps later, the Spaniard swept past Bagnaia and raced away to earn his fifth MotoGP victory on the Brno circuit.
