Marco Bezzecchi has returned to the saddle for the first time since breaking his collarbone, completing a session on an Aprilia RSV4 at Misano on Wednesday as he steps up his bid to race at Silverstone.
The Aprilia rider fractured his left collarbone in a crash during qualifying for the German Grand Prix on 11 July, an injury that ruled him out of both races at the Sachsenring and required surgery the following day. He also underwent a procedure to clean a wound on his knee suffered in the same crash.
Less than three weeks after the operation, Bezzecchi was back on a bike, completing four runs on the production RSV4 at the Misano circuit, with Aprilia confirming his rehabilitation is progressing as planned.
"Marco Bezzecchi completed yesterday a session of four runs on his RSV4 at the Misano circuit," an Aprilia statement read. "His rehabilitation programme is proceeding as planned. His next appointment is at Silverstone, where he will undergo a medical assessment with the MotoGP medical team."
The update strengthens Aprilia's hopes of having Bezzecchi back for the British Grand Prix on 7-9 August, a race he won last year. His fitness will be assessed by the MotoGP medical team at Silverstone before he is cleared to race.
Bezzecchi's return comes at a pivotal moment in the championship. He led the standings after winning the Italian Grand Prix in May, but has not scored a point on a Sunday since. He was collected in a first-corner pile-up at the Hungarian Grand Prix triggered by team-mate Jorge Martin, was suspended for the Czech round after striking a marshal, and crashed out of the Dutch Grand Prix before his qualifying accident in Germany.
The Italian now sits fourth in the championship, 22 points behind Martin, with the title race wide open heading into the second half of the season.
If cleared by the medical staff, Bezzecchi will make his comeback at Silverstone, where Aprilia will hope the former championship leader can reignite his title challenge.
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