Marco Bezzecchi topped both practice sessions on Friday at the Thai MotoGP, the second one by over 0.4 seconds, leading to high praise for his Aprilia team.
Aprilia and Bezzecchi came into this weekend high on the list of favourites, although Bezzecchi himself was keen to put himself behind the likes of reigning MotoGP champion Marc Marquez when considering the favourites for victory in the pre-event press conference.
But the Italian showed strong form on Friday in Buriram, topping both sessions, even with changeable weather in the second session that required a late change of plan to navigate.
“It’s only Friday so we have to stay calm and keep ourselves super-focused,” Bezzecchi told MotoGP.com.
“It was a good lap, especially the second time attack. I’m happy.
“We worked well, this morning as well, but also this afternoon with the soft tyre.
“We managed also [well] the session because in one moment the rain was coming and the wind was super-strong, so we had to change the plan last-minute. But, fortunately, the team made a wonderful job, so I’m very satisfied from today.”
He added: “It’s important from both sides to be prepared and try to react in the shortest time possible.
“The team was super-ready and when I decided to stop that was not planned – they were anyway ready. It was very important, I think maybe the key for this kind of situation.”
Bezzecchi continues to refuse to consider himself the favourite in Thailand.
“Not yet, honestly,” he said when asked if his Friday performance meant he was above the rest in the list of contenders.
“I continue in my way to think about the weekend: I’m sure that Marc [Marquez] is the favourite, is still super-strong. In the right moment he is always there, so I think that tomorrow and Sunday he will be super-fast.
“But he is not the only one, because also Diggia [Fabio Di Giannantonio] was very fast today, Alex [Marquez] as always is fast, Pedro [Acosta], Jorge [Martin] was super-quick as well.
“So, we can never relax. We have to stay focused and we have to continue in this way.”
