Marco Bezzecchi settled for second place after stating that it was “almost impossible” to overtake MotoGP Assen race winner Marc Marquez.
The Italian secured his first double podium in a single weekend in Aprilia colours, finishing third in the Sprint and going one better with second place in the 100th anniversary TT.
Bezzecchi launched up to second in the early stages after starting from the middle of the second row, but inevitably finished 0.6s behind championship leader Marquez.
“I’m very, very happy, it was a fantastic race,” Bezzecchi said to Speedweek.
“I wanted to attack Marc [Marquez], but he had a little bit more in the quiver. I want to thank everyone, including the Academy and Vale. I hope the fans enjoyed it and I was able to offer them a show.”
“It was a very good weekend. I don’t know, because it’s been a long time since the last double podium with me.”
The 26-year-old explained that the factory Ducati rider was too strong through Turn 15, a corner notorious for overtakes, admitting that he never had a real opportunity to attempt an overtake.
“The race was fantastic. I wanted to fight with Marc,” he admitted.
“But in the second half of the race I had problems because he increased the pace. I gave everything to stay on, squeezed everything out of the motorcycle.
“Before the harassment I could try to overtake. In the other braking zones I was not so strong – I was equally good or even worse.
“I passed Alex [Marquez], I passed Pecco [Francesco Bagnaia] there, but Marc was a bit stronger in turn 15.
“With Marc it was almost impossible to try anything before the finish line. He was very fast in Turn 15.
“With the wind shadow it was difficult when turning the bike from Turn 14 to 15. I was able to hit the brake a little before Turn 16. In the last five rounds he has taken another step. But I had fun – I even had a lot of fun!”
Bezzecchi claimed his 11th grand prix podium of his premier class career thus far, and now is the lead non-Ducati rider in the standings.
READ MORE – Marc Marquez demands respect for brother Alex Marquez after ‘difficult’ Assen MotoGP weekend
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