Marco Bezzecchi admits he “didn’t want to think” about the possibility of victory before winning his home MotoGP race at Mugello.
Bezzecchi clinched a stunning victory in the Italian Grand Prix after besting team-mate Jorge Martin and VR46 academy stablemate Francesco Bagnaia.
The result meant Bezzecchi realised a childhood dream by winning his home race for the first time, alongside the first victory for Italian manufacturer Aprilia at the circuit.
“I feel super happy,” Bezzecchi said via Motorsport.com.
“This is a dream that I had since when I was a kid because we used to come here to see the races with my mum, my dad and my sister.
“Every year seeing all the other riders winning or getting the podium in Mugello, and I was never there, I said ‘I want to be there so bad, how can I do it?’
“But I just tried to work in the best way possible and finally, fortunately, this dream came true.”
Although Bezzecchi has seen plenty of success this season, he was reluctant to be considered the favourite for the race ahead of the weekend.
The 27-year-old admitted he didn’t want to dwell on his chances because of the high pressure.
“From Thursday, I was thinking about this, but I didn’t want to think about it too much because it’s something that can make you obsessed,” he said.
“It was a tough weekend because the pressure was high.
“The fans were amazing, but also the responsibility was a lot, because everyone was telling me, ‘you have to win, go, go, you have to win, we are here for you’, and it was tough.
“For the first time, I really felt the pressure from this, but it was also a super charge, because I saw an amazing way to support me.”
Marco Bezzecchi reveals where Italian GP victory ranks amongst his MotoGP victories
For most riders, winning their respective home race is one of their biggest achievements in their careers.
Five Italian riders have won the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello in the MotoGP era, with Bezzecchi joining Bagnaia, Andrea Dovizioso, Danilo Petrucci and Valentino Rossi after his triumph.
However, Bezzecchi didn’t rank his victory in Mugello as his best, or most emotional, in MotoGP so far.
“In terms of emotion, maybe this is very similar to the first victory in MotoGP,” Bezzecchi said.
“I know I don’t have many [10], but it means a lot every time. So let’s say that first [in Argentina 2023] is this. Second [is Mugello] but with the same emotion as the first one, and then maybe Brazil this year was the third one.”
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