TNT Sports
'He enters tomorrow as the clear favourite' - Michael Laverty backs Marco Bezzecchi for Grand Prix Indonesia double
By
Updated 04/10/2025 at 10:52 GMT+1
React to this story
Marco Bezzecchi dropped down the pack at the start of Grand Prix Indonesia's Sprint race on Saturday, but the 26-year-old Italian fought back to claim victory for Aprilia by overtaking BK8 Gresini's Fermin Aldeguer on the final lap. TNT Sports pundit Michael Laverty has backed Bezzecchi to succeed on Sunday and make it a double at this weekend's Grand Prix.
'I can't watch!' - Thrilling end to Grand Prix Indonesia Sprint as Bezzecchi claims comeback victory
Video credit: TNT Sports
Michael Laverty believes Marco Bezzecchi is "the clear favourite" to win on Sunday at Grand Prix Indonesia after his Sprint race win.
The Aprilia rider was triumphant on Saturday despite a tough start. He began in pole position, but BK8 Gresini’s Fermin Aldeguer took an early lead with an exceptional start.
In contrast, Bezzecchi’s sputtering start meant he dropped down the pack and had to battle back from eighth position in order to get the young Spaniard in his sights.
There was a thrilling conclusion to the race as Bezzecchi closed in on Aldeguer and passed him with a measured but aggressive move on the final lap, and secured his second Sprint race win of the season.
He remains in with a chance of finishing second in the World Championship race this season if he maintains his good form, with Ducati Lenovo’s Francesco Bagnaia and BK8 Gresini man Alex Marquez still within reach if results go his way.
Bezzecchi was tipped for success on Friday in Neil Hodgson’s weekend column for TNT, and he also sees the Italian as perhaps the strongest rival to Ducati Lenovo for the 2026 campaign.
- 'All that effort, all that pain' - Hodgson hails Marquez comeback and hints at Bagnaia resurgence
- Team director Salucci reveals Bagnaia experimented on Morbidelli's bike
Hodgson's colleague Laverty spoke after the race, and praised him for his performance after an early error.
He said: "Good to see Marco Bezzecchi dig deep - the man with the pace all weekend. An unfortunate start. He had to work hard. He had to pass so many people, but the dress rehearsal set him up. He executed it perfectly. It was a classy ride for Bezzecchi, but also for Aldeguer.
"An impressive fight on a track that is difficult to pass [on]. He made his way through. It was a classy ride."
Looking ahead to Sunday’s full-length race, Laverty backed Bezzecchi as the favourite once more, adding: "Tomorrow it's going to be a different dynamic on the medium tyres, but he's looking strong."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/10/04/image-d00fdcaa-c0d1-4f7e-9b9c-495d308993e5-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'I had to try to fight back' - Bezzecchi celebrates Grand Prix Indonesia comeback win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Last year, Aprilia had two Spaniards, while this year there is just one - Jorge Martin. Martin has been absent for the vast majority of the season, and is currently out for at least the Australia Grand Prix after a fractured right collarbone.
Laverty noted that Bezzecchi has stepped up to lead the team in the absence of 2024’s world champion.
"The team has grown around him," he observed. "A young, fast Italian. That's exactly what they want. They had two Spanish riders - Maverick Vinales and Aleix Espagraro - but there was obviously hopes that the young Italian flair would arrive.
"He's clicked with the bike, he's taken the leader role. Look at him now. Bezzecchi is now the leader for Aprilia and he could snatch second [in the championship].Â
"He enters tomorrow as the clear favourite."
Stream every race of the 2025 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement