Marco Bezzecchi Hit with Double Long-Lap Penalty for Marquez Crash in Indonesia

Following his collision with Marc Marquez in Mandalika, Marco Bezzecchi will serve a double long-lap penalty at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, a major setback to his Phillip Island hopes.

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Marco Bezzecchi will face a double long-lap penalty in Sunday’s Australian MotoGP, following his high-speed crash with Marc Marquez during the opening lap of last weekend’s Indonesian Grand Prix in Mandalika.

The decision was confirmed after the FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel concluded its delayed hearing, which had been postponed as Bezzecchi underwent precautionary scans at the hospital. According to Crash.net, the penalty will be applied during Sunday’s race at Phillip Island.

The ruling is a tough blow for Bezzecchi and Aprilia Racing, especially after his impressive performance in Mandalika where he claimed pole position, set a new lap record, and dominated the Sprint race before his unfortunate crash. Now, he’ll have to overcome a potential six to eight-second setback due to the penalty if he hopes to fight for a top result in Australia.

The incident occurred when Bezzecchi clipped the rear of Marquez’s Ducati at Turn 8, sending both riders into the gravel trap. Marquez suffered a fractured coracoid bone and ligament damage to his right shoulder, later undergoing surgery in Madrid. The reigning MotoGP World Champion is expected to miss at least two rounds, with Ducati test rider Michele Pirro stepping in for the Australian GP.

Bezzecchi’s team-mate Jorge Martin and Tech3 GasGas rider Maverick Viñales are also sidelined this weekend due to injuries, further impacting the grid lineup.

In its official statement, the FIM Stewards said Bezzecchi was “riding in an irresponsible manner, causing a crash involving rider #93,” referencing Article 1.21.2 of the FIM Grand Prix World Championship Regulations. The panel classified the incident as a “Type MGP-CC5: Start of the Race / Opening Lap” violation—which applies to actions creating dangerous situations for multiple riders or causing a crash.

Given that this was Bezzecchi’s second offence of the season, the double long-lap penalty was deemed appropriate under MotoGP’s disciplinary framework.

Bezzecchi later took full responsibility for the accident, expressing remorse toward Marquez and his team: “Today I made a mistake and unfortunately I also involved Marc. I’m very sorry — I apologise to him and all his staff.”

Meanwhile, Marquez took to social media to reassure fans, stating there were “no hard feelings” toward Bezzecchi, acknowledging that “nobody does it on purpose.”

With Phillip Island’s unpredictable conditions and Bezzecchi’s penalty, this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix promises high drama as the title fight edges closer to its final stretch.