Bezzecchi and the first victory in the MotoGP Argentine Grand Prix, with the aura of Valentino Rossi and the signature of Messi

In 2015, Valentino Rossi it drove the crowds frenzied in the circuit of Rio Hondo hot springs when he celebrated that iconic victory with the Argentina team shirt and the recognition of Diego Maradona.

In those times, another Italian, Marco Bezzecchi, did his first races in Moto3, the first step on the world ladder, dreaming of reaching, at a certain point, the maximum expression of motorcycling. Three years later, that boy, born on 12 November 1998 in Rimini, achieved his first Moto3 victory in Argentina.

That triumph marked his sporting campaign so much, that on one arm was a tattoo with a drawing of the Santiago circuit. “It’s strange, but this morning I woke up with a special, strange feeling. I felt that something could happen. And that the conditions weren’t the best, because it was raining and to tell the truth, I don’t do very well underwater”, confessed Bezzecchi, as soon as he crossed the line of condemnation and managed to his first success in MotoGP, right in the same place where he had his triumphal baptism in Moto3. “I will definitely get another tattoo now, with the Argentinian track,” she said.

The same guy who, like all Italians and almost all motorcycling enthusiasts in the world, grew up with the figure of the great Valentino as a guide. And fate crossed that idol, given that after climbing the categories and going through the “doctor’s” Academy, he finally landed in the team that is supervised by the great myth, the Mooney VR46 Racing Team. And now, this victory, with Rossi’s team.

“I’m very happy. I don’t know what to say. I can’t believe it. This morning, during the warm-up, I was talking to the bike. It’s an incredible emotion”, underlined Bezzecchi, who, after receiving their respective trophies on the podium, received a very special gift: an Argentina shirt signed by Lionel Messi.

“Messi is the greatest in football, as Valentino is the one with the bikes. The World Cup final was followed by all the members of the Valentino Academy, together with Rossi. That’s why it’s amazing, because it’s a way to combine both” said Marco.

Bezzecchi dominated from start to finish a race devoid of great emotions, even if the wait was maintained over the 24 laps, due to the track conditions, which varied according to the amount of water that had fallen.

Finally, after seeing the checkered flag, he caressed his Ducati. He ran his hands over the handlebars and the number 72 which dominates the front of the car. A number more similar to 12, his favorite number, than 72. But since Maverick Viñales already uses it, he appealed to the graphic similarity.

Towards the end the emotion was given by the Frenchman Johan Zarco, the French rider who conquered his 16th podium in MotoGP but still can’t win. He overtook Spaniard Alex Márquez in the final metres. All of them, riders with the Ducati.

“The circuit had good grip despite the water. After Pecco’s crash I saw that he was close to the podium and towards the end he had a great pace. This is an excellent podium, for the comeback, and for the 20 points”, commented Zarco.

The surprise of the competition was the fall of the champion, the Italian Francesco “Pecco” BagnaiaThat he lost control of his Ducati at turn 13 when he ran second. A blow that delayed him to the end. Finally he finished in 16th place, in a race with few participants, due to numerous absences (see separate).

MotoGP crossed Argentina in its second round of the World Cup. Even if it seems that some national categories have been infected, when they exaggerate the number of spectators in the circuits.

This was reported by Dorna, the company that manages the destinations of the category there were 186,038 people, counting all days of activity. And according to the international company, the record set in 2022 was almost reached, with 186,759 people.

No one could believe these records. Clearly there was a sharp decline compared to previous years. Sources from the local organization have admitted a 15% drop since Saturday evening. In addition to the absence of the riders due to injuries, the weather conspired at the last minute due to rain. Beyond the numbers, this time it was noted that there were fewer people than in other editions, both at the racetrack and in the city. And this is how the merchants of Santiago highlighted it.

“Inflation has made the Grand Prix difficult for us,” commented a member of the organisation, who alluded to the economic setbacks the country is experiencing. In fact, the exchange rate difference with neighboring countries, combined with the promotion work carried out in specific places, such as Brazil, has allowed many foreign tourists to compensate for the situation of local fans. There was the presence of Brazilians, Uruguayans, Bolivians and Chileans.

Marco Bezzecchi, new winner in MotoGP history. As did Aleix Espargaró in 2022, when he learned the honeys of triumph, even in Termas de Río Hondo. This time, that dreamer, who encouraged Valentino Rossi through television, had his triumphant baptism in the top category. And he is the new championship leader, with 50 points, 9 more than Bagnaia. And just as the legend Rossi celebrated on that historic day with the Argentine shirt, now the rider of his team has emulated him with the blue-and-whites, on the same podium in Santiago, with Messi’s signature