Marco Bezzecchi forced to drop two slots on MotoGP United States GP grid

The Aprilia rider incurred not only the wrath of Marc Marquez but that of the stewards

MotoGP championship leader Marco Bezzecchi has been handed a two-position penalty on the starting grid for Sunday's United States Grand Prix, following a qualifying incident with Marc Marquez.

The Italian will thus start the race in fourth place instead of the second place he earned on the qualifying timesheets. Pedro Acosta (KTM) will inherit Bezzecchi's spot alongside polesitter Fabio Di Giannantonio (VR46 Ducati), while factory Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia will be promoted to the front row.

Seven-time world champion Marquez was visibly upset to have a fast qualifying lap spoiled when he almost ran into Bezzecchi on the approach to Turn 12. The incident was captured from multiple angles during the broadcast.

According to the decision published by the stewards, Bezzecchi was "observed to be riding slow online disturbing another rider #93 [Marquez] at Turn 12."

Bezzecchi's good disciplinary record so far this season and the level of traffic around the incident helped minimise the sanction. The session was characterised by blocking accusations as the riders went for hot laps in close proximity to each other despite the ample space available at COTA.

"As a first offence for the season, with mitigation applied due to involvement of another rider, the appropriate penalty in this case is 2 Grid Positions penalty."

At last year's Indonesian Grand Prix, Bezzecchi ran into the back of Marquez on the opening lap, resulting in an injury that put Marc out for the rest of the season and which still lingers.

Honda's Luca Marini, who originally qualified ninth, was also hit with a two-place grid drop. Marini was running just in front of Bezzecchi when Marquez approached the duo on the run down to Turn 12.