Hodgson Column: Marc Marquez is MotoGP's Lionel Messi and Marco Bezzecchi is feeling the pressure

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TNT Sports MotoGP pundit writes in his weekly column that Marco Bezzecchi is clearly feeling the pressure ahead of Grand Prix Netherlands this weekend. Hodgson pointed out that Marc Marquez's looming presence in the title race will cause problems for everyone.

Highlights: Marquez claims outstanding victory at Grand Prix Czechia

Video credit: TNT Sports

Neil Hodgson is providing expert insight to TNT Sports throughout the MotoGP season.

In his latest column, Neil shares his thoughts on what to expect at Grand Prix Netherlands.

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After last weekend at Grand Prix Czechia, it is indisputable that Marc Marquez is now the favourite for the title.

The Marquez that we’ve seen on the track since his operation after Le Mans is the Marquez we all expected to see at the start of the season.

We all knew he’d had that crash and then his pre-season, and we had assumed that he was going to come back and start the year as favourite once again. We were wrong, obviously, because of the issue with the radial nerve and the broken screw.

Marquez kept his counsel, and we didn’t know what to think. Was he done? Was he never going to be as fit as before, and back to his best?

But the reality is, he’s back. He wasn’t lying about the impact of the injury, and now it’s been resolved. Marc is only going to get fitter and stronger now, and everyone else is in trouble.

Highlights: Francesco Bagnaia claims impressive Grand Prix Czechia Sprint race victory

Video credit: TNT Sports

Marquez, after all, is the Lionel Messi of our sport. He is how Tiger Woods used to be. You’d think he was beaten and then he’d be top of the pile once more as if nothing had happened.

He’s like Oleksandr Usyk in boxing. He looks in real trouble against a bigger man, and suddenly he has him on the canvas. Marquez is like them all. He’s too good, too clever.

That’s what you witnessed in Brno. Marc shouldn’t have won that. Behind your team-mate, on the limit, tyre pressure soaring, an overheating bike on a red-hot day. Any other rider - any normal rider - settles. They take second or third and look ahead. But Marc rides on the absolute limit even when the bike is floating underneath him.

He has that extra one per cent in his pocket. Other riders aren’t bad. They’re unreal athletes, but Marquez is a freak. He’s not real.

Bezzecchi feeling the pressure

I think we saw last week with Marco Bezzecchi that he is really suffering from the pressure. This is the true nature of what he is dealing with.

He is aiming to get his life’s work, his ultimate dream, over the line. But even when you have the best bike and you’re top of the championship standings, it’s never easy.

Leader Bezzecchi suspended from race after 'pushing and striking' marshal

Video credit: TNT Sports

MotoGP is the No.1 motorcycle championship in the world, and pressure is a horrible thing. I think what we witnessed as a rider making a huge mistake and then reacting in a bizarre way.

I’m not condoning what happened at all, and it was right that Marco apologised, but the fact remains that it was completely out of character for him, and that’s why it seems like he cracked, if only momentarily.

He flipped out. He snapped. The ultimate case of road rage. You do something stupid, and for a split second your brain is just completely hijacked. A moment later and you’re left asking yourself, 'What have I just done?!'

Aprilia setbacks a shock

In some ways though, the Bezzecchi incident is just highlighting what a strange and difficult season this is turning into for Aprilia.

You look back at Mugello, three rounds ago, and everything looked fully in control. One and two in the championship, pulling away, looking like they would cruise to the title. Ai Ogura at Trackhouse was looking like a potential breakout star on their satellite bike.

Now, a couple of rounds later, it’s completely different. At some points, Massimo Rivola has had to take charge just to stop any internecine civil war from spilling over.

It’s hard to know what exactly is going on behind the scenes, but ultimately it feels like this is being brought to a head by the spectre of Marquez’s comeback.

'Showing off to the fans' - Bagnaia celebrates rare victory at Grand Prix Czechia Sprint

Video credit: TNT Sports

This is the perfect time for Assen

Assen is a weird, awesome track. Based on everything we’ve seen from Aprilia this year, they should have a big advantage here regardless of their recent problems. Assen is really physical, and that could be a problem for Marquez as he is still not at his fittest.

It’s a flat circuit, but with lots of rapid kinks where the bike is fighting with you to go straight. It’s intensely physical, and you have to muscle through it. It’s narrow, so you’re doubly challenged to keep the bike under control rather than letting it ride easily.

What I always felt about Assen is that it’s a track that is so easy to make a mistake in. With this season, given the ups and downs already, it could exacerbate the tensions and the errors we’ve seen across the paddock.

When you get it right, it flows beautifully, but it’s notoriously difficult to master. It’s the perfect circuit to examine where everyone is mentally, and physically. Bezzecchi’s recent travails have squeezed the title standings into a narrow band, so this is the perfect time for Assen, which will be shown live this weekend on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

'It's not an excuse' - Bezzecchi apologises to Grand Prix Czechia marshal after clash

Video credit: TNT Sports

Bezzecchi is the favourite despite struggles

Bezzecchi was incredibly good here, so I’m putting him as my favourite and that could relaunch his title challenge.

While I’ve been impressed with Ogura in the last few rounds, I think Assen could serve as a reset for the championship. I’d be surprised if he beats both factory riders, Bezzecchi and Jorge Martin, this weekend.

While Marquez can’t be ignored, I’m also looking at his team-mate, Pecco Bagnaia, who looks to be on his way back up again ahead of his departure from Ducati.

Assen is a deeply special place for Pecco, after all. He won his first ever Grand Prix back here, in his Moto3 days. He has the date and the track tattooed on his arm.

If you’re Pecco, this is a chance to stamp your authority. Not to just remind the rest of the sport of your talent, but maybe even to let people know you’re still in with a chance of a title challenge. A double here reaffirms his presence and his credibility.

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