The FIM MotoGP Stewards have suspended championship leader Marco Bezzecchi for the duration of the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Czechia after he struck a Marshal multiple times.
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Bezzecchi, who races the No. 72, crashed during Saturday's Tissot Sprint in Brno. As he hustled through the gravel toward his downed motorcycle, a Marshal went to pick it up. Bezzecchi made contact with the Marshal's face before attempting to pick up his motorcycle.
The situation did not end there. They exchanged words, and then Bezzecchi slapped the Marshal in the face yet again. He then walked off as the crews continued working on the moving the motorcycle.
Gets worse from every new angle. This is race ban territory pic.twitter.com/U2xLjdirS4
— Simon Patterson (@denkmit) June 20, 2026
The MotoGP stewards met with Bezzecchi after the sprint and the altercation with the Marshal. They heard his testimony and confirmed his suspension from the Grand Prix of Czechia.
"On 20th June 2026, at 16:07:41 during the MotoGP Sprint of the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Czechia, following a crash you pushed and struck circuit Marshals who were trying to recover your machine," a statement from stewards read.
"This is an action prejudicial to the interests of the sport and is therefore an infringement as described in Article 3.3.2.2 of the FIM Grand Prix World Championship Regulations, any corrupt or fraudulent act, or any action prejudicial to the interests of the meetings or of the sport, carried out by a person or a group of persons occurring during an event"
"For the above reasons the FIM MotoGP Stewards Panel has imposed upon you a suspension from the Monster Energy Grand Prix of Czechia. (in accordance with articles 3.2.1 and 3.3.2.3 of the FIM Grand Prix World Championship Regulations)."
Bezzecchi and Aprilia Racing appealed the penalty on Saturday, as was their right. They lost the appeal, but the MotoGP rule book provides for a final appeal, "an expedited process, and the possibility of granting a stay of execution on a penalty."
It remains unclear if the team will take this option ahead of Sunday's Grand Prix.
Bezzecchi has a 15-point lead in the championship standings over Jorge Martin. This will certainly change as he misses the Grand Prix of Czechia. He will also have to worry about Fabio Di Giannantonio, who is 36 points back.
