Breaking news
Moto2
Bezzecchi reminds me of a young Rossi - Poncharal
Tech 3 KTM boss Herve Poncharal says that one of his new Moto2 signings Marco Bezzecchi reminds him of a young Valentino Rossi.
David Gruz
Published: Jan 5, 2019, 10:19 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
In 2018, Bezzecchi fought for the Moto3 crown in his second season in the series, but eventually had to settle for third in the points behind Gresini Honda pair Jorge Martin and Fabio Di Giannantonio.
The top KTM rider in the standings by 98 points, Bezzecchi will make the step up to Moto2 where he will ride for Tech 3 which, like in MotoGP, will also switch to KTMs in Moto2.
Poncharal revealed that he was looking to sign Bezzecchi as early as the second round of the season, and that there are "unbelievable" similarities between him and Rossi when he was young.
"As soon as we started to talk about Moto2 with KTM, I told them in Argentina the guy I would like to have is Bezzecchi, and this was before even he won his first race because he won his first race in Argentina," said Poncharal.
"And KTM told me, [we will try] everything we can do, we want to retain him because we believe in him.
"I had the luck to follow Valentino when he first arrived in 125cc and Marco reminds me of the young Valentino, unbelievable.
"The size, the face, but also the way he behaves and talks. I just hope he'll have the same career."
Marco Bezzecchi
Photo by: Gold and Goose / LAT Images
Tech 3's KTM switch ends a 20-year relationship the French squad had with Yamaha in the top class.
Poncharal praised the Austrian firm for its involvement in all grand prix classes, citing it as one of the reasons for wanting to align his team with KTM.
"There is nothing more exciting to take a young guy with no experience as a rookie in a class and to grow with him like we did with Johann [Zarco] or some other riders we had," said the Frenchman.
"When you saw the Moto3 race [in Valencia] and Can Oncu winning the race at 15 years old, coming out of the Rookies [Cup], he is here with his dad and brother, all these guys are really feeling part of a family.
"Sometimes we use family a little bit too much, but here it is the right word, this is a family.
"Don't forget Zarco who was the first Rookies Cup winner [in 2007] and he was with Ajo at that time, he has always been with the [KTM] family. The only two years he was not was when he was with us in MotoGP. He is not joining the family, he is back with the family.
"This is very impressive and clearly they are the only factory which is having all this involvement in all this level."
Miguel Oliveira, Can Oncu, and Red Bull KTM Ajo team members celebrate
Photo by: Gold and Goose / LAT Images
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Top Stories of 2018, #9: Fenati shocks the MotoGP paddock
Next article Marini won't risk early MotoGP move to race with Rossi
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
David Gruz
Honda reveals 2020 World Superbike challenger
World Superbike
World Superbike
Honda reveals 2020 World Superbike challenger
Redding: Bautista cost himself 2019 WSBK crown
World Superbike
World Superbike
Redding: Bautista cost himself 2019 WSBK crown
Espargaro: Aprilia showed podium pace at Sepang
MotoGP
MotoGP
Sepang February testing
Espargaro: Aprilia showed podium pace at Sepang
More from
Valentino Rossi
The closest finish in MotoGP history: Toni Elias over Valentino Rossi 20 years ago
MotoGP
MotoGP
Portuguese GP
11 h
The closest finish in MotoGP history: Toni Elias over Valentino Rossi 20 years ago
Marc Marquez to read Valentino Rossi’s new book “when I retire” from MotoGP
MotoGP
MotoGP
San Marino GP
Marc Marquez to read Valentino Rossi’s new book “when I retire” from MotoGP
Valentino Rossi abandons Nordschleife Permit plans for 2026
Endurance
Endurance
NLS8
Valentino Rossi abandons Nordschleife Permit plans for 2026
More from
Tech 3
Maverick Vinales “thinking every night” about future: “I haven’t given up yet”
MotoGP
MotoGP
Japanese GP
Maverick Vinales “thinking every night” about future: “I haven’t given up yet”
Tech3 KTM confirms Maverick Vinales’ comeback for Japanese GP
MotoGP
MotoGP
Japanese GP
Tech3 KTM confirms Maverick Vinales’ comeback for Japanese GP
Maverick Vinales to make MotoGP return in post-Austrian GP Pirelli test
MotoGP
MotoGP
Maverick Vinales to make MotoGP return in post-Austrian GP Pirelli test
Latest news
WEC Barcelona: Toyota scores dominant 1-2 to seal manufacturers’ title
WEC
WEC WEC
Barcelona
3 h
WEC Barcelona: Toyota scores dominant 1-2 to seal manufacturers’ title
Hailie Deegan eying NASCAR Truck return but future plans remain uncertain
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck
Phoenix
3 h
Hailie Deegan eying NASCAR Truck return but future plans remain uncertain
When Can-Am made its controversial comeback
General
When Can-Am made its controversial comeback
Yamaha boss on MotoGP changes under Liberty: 'We must be careful not to lose our fans'
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Japanese GP
6 h
Yamaha boss on MotoGP changes under Liberty: 'We must be careful not to lose our fans'
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe