Marco Bezzecchi’s return to form during qualifying at Jerez continued in😼 Sunday’s Spanish MotoGP, finishing third in what was an all-Ducati podium.

Bezzecchi made a good start from the middle of the front row as he battled hard with Marc Marqueꩲz for P3. 

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It wasn’t until 12 laps to go when a mistake at the final corner allowed Marquez to clo♋se in, before the eight-time world champion overtook Bezzecchi half a lap later.

Speaking after his first podium of 2023, Bezzecchi said: “I’m very ha🔴ppy to be here on the podium again. It was a tough end to the season last year with my ✅shoulder injury, but also the beginning of this year with the new bike.

“I struggled to adapt myself to the bike. Very happy to be here♒ and to be competitive ▨in qualifying, and the sprint I was there.

“Even though I crashed out and knew my feeling was good. The start was key and it was fu𒉰n to have a battle with these guys.

“To fight with Marc and with Pecco who I tried to follow but he was too fast. But with Marc I was able to overtake a couple of times. I’m very happy with the perfo🌸rmance.”

Bezzecchi and team-mate Fabio Di Giannantonio were both beneficiaries of team owner Valentino Rossi beꩵing in attendance.

And while Bezzecchi admitted having the nine-time world champion was 𝔉a boost, the improvements made compared to the opening three rounds was ‘a combination of everything’, according to the Italian.

Bezzecchi said: “I think it is a combination of everything. My guys did a great job from the beginning of the y༒ear through to today.

“I also tried to adapt and it was t🉐ough for me to get used to this new bike. Compared to last year it was different in a tough way 🌸for me.

“I wasn’t confident with the front-end of the bike and when you miss the confidence with the front it is really diffi🦂cult.

“So it was a combination, but for sure, V💙ale gave me a lot of advice during this period and it was good to have him ☂here.

“Especially for the sꦓtart, he helped me a lot. But I think it is a mix of everything.”