MotoGP News: Nicolo Bulega Crash Causes Marc Marquez To Apologize - 'Will Give Him The Helmet'

Saajan Jogia | Jul 28, 2024

Apr 14, 2024; Austin, TX, USA; Marc Marquez (93) of Spain and Gresini Racing MotoGP before the MotoGP Grand Prix of The Americas at Circuit of The Americas. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Gresini rider Marc Marquez revealed that he plans to give Nicolo Bulega the helmet he used during World Ducati Week at the Misano circuit after Bulega crashed following an overtake by Marquez. The Spaniard was unsure if his bike made contact with Bulega's Ducati.

Marquez secured third place behind Francesco Bagnaia and Andrea Iannone, but a last-lap overtake on Bulega has left him searching for answers. As Marquez passed him at the final turn, Bulega was subsequently seen sliding on the gravel, eventually expressing surprise as he sat on the ground.

Speaking to Sky Italia, Marquez said:

“Too bad for the last lap, I felt Bulega crash.

“I don't know if there was contact or not, I haven't heard much.”

Speaking further before going to Bulega's garage to apologize, Marquez told Motosprint:

“I will go to Nicolo and give him the helmet I used in the race.

“I want to ask him whether or not there was contact, since I didn't perceive it.

“I only heard the sound of the motorbike scraping on the ground.

“I don't know if he braked more aggressively than usual to close the line.

“But in any case races are races, and we also had confirmation at the start, where there was no shortage of chaos.

“Nicolo was having a good race and I hope he is physically fit.”

Marquez, who joins Ducati's official team next season, admitted that he wouldn't mind pulling the same maneuver on championship leader Bagnaia. He added:

“I have no problem recognizing that Pecco is now the reference for MotoGP and Ducati.

“He is a great rider from whom I will try to learn, to get as close to him as possible.

“What if I would have tried the same overtaking on Bagnaia? Of course, it seemed like a natural manoeuvre to me and therefore nothing crazy.

“This was a day of celebration and I'm sorry that Nicolo crashed: when you put riders on the track the adrenaline is high, and the race is real."

The 10-lap showpiece race brought together Ducati's top 15 riders from MotoGP, World Superbikes, and British Superbikes, all riding the newly unveiled Ducati Panigale V4.

The MotoGP season resumes next weekend at Silverstone, where Bagnaia leads the standings by 10 points over Jorge Martin and holds a 56-point advantage over Marquez.