Rossi shares how two unexpected figures assisted him during his initial 500cc class trial

Motorcycle racing icon Valentino Rossi disclosed that his initial test on a 500cc bike in 1999 nearly ended in calamity, if not for the unexpected assistance of two individuals who were relatively unknown at the time.

Rossi joined Honda to compete in the MotoGP series starting in the 2000 season, representing what appeared to be a secondary team, after securing the 125cc and 250cc championships in 1997 and 1999, respectively.

Explore further: Reflecting on Valentino Rossi's transformative Yamaha MotoGP switch

He first got a taste of the NSR500, which he would compete with in 2000 and 2001 during the final years of MotoGP's 500cc class, during trials at Jerez following his championship victory in the 250cc category.

In a conversation on Andrea Migno’s podcast last year, Rossi's manager confirmed that they had struck a deal with Aprilia for Rossi to wear their racing suits for a test. However, he forgot to bring them along and also realized he didn't have a helmet to wear.

"He started off by saying, 'The initial 500cc trial was splendid.'"

Upon my arrival in Jerez at the close of 1999, I was in possession of two Honda suits. My manager had previously arranged with Aprilia for me to wear their suit.

Upon arriving in Jerez, I brought along two brand-new suits from Honda, but ended up not being able to wear them. Instead, I inadvertently left my Aprilia suit behind at home.

"I took Marcellino Lucchi's outfit on loan. I reached out to a buddy in Tavullia and told them, 'we're going to fly you out here, get the Aprilia outfit to us!'"

I unzipped my backpack and found eight shields inside, yet the helmet was missing! Panic had already set in earlier when I realized I'd left the suit behind.

Rossi and his close associates devised a minor falsehood to extricate themselves from a difficult situation.

He explained, "A stroke of brilliance occurred – 'my helmet was taken!' That's how I was rescued, even though I lacked a helmet.

During my initial 500cc trial, I donned the racing suit of Marcellino Lucchi and the helmet belonging to Gregorio Lavilla, a Kawasaki Superbike racer known for his personalized helmet.

"I asked Lavilla if I could use a helmet since mine had been taken."

The initial experience of handling a 500cc is an unforgettable milestone in the journey of any rider. The sensation when you rev the engine…

"I recall the sensation of the track becoming more compact and confined, a pleasant experience. The velocity becomes familiar over time.

"On day two, as soon as I received my racing gear and helmet, I accelerated my pace. Similarly, at Phillip Island, my speed was noteworthy."

Lucchi participated in grand prix races between 1982 and 2004, achieving a single win at the 250cc Italian Grand Prix in 1998.

In 2005, Lavilla clinched the British Superbike title riding for Ducati and currently serves as the Executive Director of World Superbikes for Dorna.

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Enea Bastianini offers a glimmer of hope amidst KTM's financial troubles

New Tech3 recruit acknowledges a "difficult off-season" due to KTM's instability

Enea Bastianini has described the off-season as challenging because of the continuing doubts surrounding KTM's MotoGP endeavor, yet he has indicated that "things are becoming more stable."

The rider, who has triumphed in seven MotoGP races, inked a contract with KTM the previous year to become part of the Tech3 team under a factory agreement starting in 2025

A monetary turmoil has cast doubts over the continuity of the Austrian company's racing initiatives, with a creditors meeting held before Christmas indicating that KTM's withdrawal from MotoGP is being considered as a strategy to reduce expenses.

KTM has officially announced its continuation in racing until 2025, but has not made any commitments past that point as of yet.

Bastianini has secured a long-term agreement with KTM, though current circumstances cast doubt on his future in MotoGP.

In a fresh interview with Sky Sports Italy, Bastianini provided a new update.

"The winter season has been challenging, but I've devoted myself to training and maintaining a focused mindset," he mentioned.

"I strive daily to prepare myself for the championship, doing all I can to be at my best."

Currently, the situation is becoming more stable, leading to a noticeably calmer atmosphere.

"I'm fully committed and always ready."

Bastianini has been reserved in setting specific goals for himself for the year 2025, given that he has only participated in a single test session with the KTM as of last November.

"He emphasized that establishing a goal right now is impractical."

"I've only completed 50 circuits on the KTM, making it challenging to envision a potential goal."

"I believe the motorcycle has promise, though I might not fully tap into its capabilities right from the initial races."

"I'm confident that with each event, we'll reach our goal."

Last week, Bastianini competed in Valentino Rossi's 100Km of Champions race in Tavullia, teaming up with Matteo Casadei.

The duo ended up in 15th place in the competition, with Diogo Moreira and Thomas Chareyre taking the victory.

Last week, Bastianini disclosed that he had parted ways with his long-standing manager Carlo Pernat, opting instead to sign a new agreement with the London-based agency MSM.

In an interview with GPOne, Pernat revealed that health issues, preventing him from attending races, were the cause behind their separation.

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Gresini's secret tool for its MotoGP newcomer to excel

Gresini team leader Michele Masini discusses MotoGP newcomer Aldeguer

Gresini's team principal believes that in Frankie Carchedi, they have provided Fermin Aldeguer with the finest team leader a newcomer to MotoGP could ask for in their debut season.

At 19 years old, Aldeguer advances to the MotoGP category this year, joining the Gresini team following a contract agreement with Ducati early last year.

Aldeguer, after shining in the Moto2 class where he clinched eight grand prix victories in the past two seasons, captured attention during his initial Ducati trial in Barcelona last November, emerging as the leading newcomer.

He will team up with Carchedi as his crew chief. Carchedi previously collaborated with Marc Marquez the preceding year and secured a world championship with Joan Mir in 2020 while at Suzuki.

During the 2025 season launch event for Gresini on Saturday, Masini outlined his expectation for Aldeguer to secure the rookie of the year award.

"Definitely, the previous year had its highs and lows, but in my opinion, he possesses the pace and the skill," he mentioned.

"Indeed, I'm somewhat taken aback by his initial trial in Barcelona too, as he managed to clock some notable laps on worn tyres."

"However, I believe our initial year with a newcomer will be enjoyable, as it presents a distinct challenge involving Alex and Fermin for our team."

"However, we are prepared, and I believe we possess the top crew chief to develop a newcomer. Moreover, becoming rookie of the year is merely our initial goal."

In a special conversation with the Crash MotoGP Podcast, Carchedi shared that during his initial trial, Aldeguer managed to make an intimidating advancement in braking techniques.

Aldeguer is set to hit the Sepang circuit for the initial shakedown at month's end, preceding the inaugural official pre-season trial.

Looking forward, the Spanish rider believes that concentrating on lap times isn't beneficial and emphasizes the importance of relishing the process of mastering a MotoGP motorcycle.

He mentioned that he spent a lot of time reflecting this winter, attributing it to the successful initial test which left him feeling optimistic from the outset.

"However, there's still more for me to grasp. I made an attempt during the winter, and now, while in Malaysia, it's crucial for me to remain concentrated, approach my work positively, maintain tranquility, avoid obsessing over the timings and rankings, and simply relish the process and absorb knowledge with every lap."

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In Italy, it's rumored that Valentino Rossi is eager to bring Pedro Acosta into the VR46 team soon.

Valentino Rossi is said to have shown interest in discussing MotoGP matters with Pedro Acosta.

Last weekend's gathering of Valentino Rossi and Pedro Acosta in Tavullia has sparked speculation across Italy.

Acosta participated in Rossi's 100km of Champions race in his own hometown.

This wasn't the inaugural visit to Rossi's residence for the latest sensation in MotoGP.

In Italy, it's been reported that Rossi was keen on discussing business matters with Acosta.

According to a report by Gazzetta, Pedro and Valentino appear to be more keen on having a direct verbal confrontation rather than just competing on the flat track, focusing on a future that has already arrived.

The nine-time global victor hailing from Pesaro possesses a definitive vision and, as rumors suggest, he’s already eyeing his next big move: integrating Acosta into his VR46 team.

"When? At the earliest opportunity. Let's find out."

Acosta made a remarkable impression in his first MotoGP season, quickly moving up from KTM's secondary team to their primary team for the 2025 season.

This year, he's set to partner with Brad Binder. However, even with a formidable four-rider roster announced, KTM faces significant concerns away from the race track.

The monetary issues they've faced, stemming from the end of the previous MotoGP season, have been thoroughly reported.

The maker is in debt, owing around €1.8 billion.

KTM maintains that financial concerns will not hinder their racing operations.

Now, Acosta could be receiving advice from Rossi – and the legendary MotoGP rider brings a significant opportunity to the table.

Rossi's VR46 squad has become Ducati's top independent team following Pramac's switch to Yamaha.

In a groundbreaking move this year, VR46 will own a factory-spec Ducati for the first time.

Fabio di Giannantonio is set to compete on the premier motorcycle in the sport currently, whereas his teammate, Franco Morbidelli, will be equipped with a machine from last year.

Should Acosta desire a switch to Rossi's squad, he could gain immediate access to MotoGP's premier bikes, but such a transition couldn't happen before 2026.

He is bound by a multi-year agreement with KTM, but issues away from the track will be his primary concern.

One significant consequence of KTM's economic situation is the uncertain future of their valuable talent, Acosta.

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LIVE STREAM: Marc Marquez kicks off his inaugural season with Ducati's official MotoGP team

Tune in for the 2025 team unveiling of Ducati with stars Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia

The Ducati team will officially kick off its 2025 MotoGP campaign on Monday, January 20th, in Italy, showcasing Marc Marquez for the first time in the team's official hues.

Ducati is set to host its customary unveiling ceremony at the Madonna di Campiglio ski resort in Italy on Monday, revealing its official team livery for the upcoming MotoGP season.

Despite the brand achieving global championship glory last season through Pramac's Jorge Martin in Ducati's most successful season to date in the top tier, securing victories in 19 out of 20 grands prix, the factory team finished as runners-up with Francesco Bagnaia.

Initially intending to elevate Martin to its official team, Ducati's decision-makers had to pivot when Marc Marquez declined an offer for a factory bike at Pramac, leading them to instead opt for the eight-time world champion.

In 2025, Martin is set to compete under the Aprilia banner, having revealed the team's colors during a presentation in Milan the previous week.

In 2025, Marquez is set to make his comeback as a factory rider, following his 2024 stint with the satellite team Gresini Ducati, a move he made after deciding to leave the official Honda team.

He is set to team up with two-time MotoGP world champion Bagnaia, forming a duo that's anticipated to dominate in 2025.

Marquez first joined the team during the Barcelona test after the season ended last November, where he rode a bike that had no sponsorship logos, neither on the motorcycle itself nor on his racing suit.

Ducati's unveiling ceremony starts at 10am GMT.

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LIVE COVERAGE: Marc Marquez Embarks on His First MotoGP Season with Ducati's Factory Team

Tune in to see the unveiling of the 2025 Ducati factory team featuring Marc Marquez alongside Francesco Bagnaia.

The official Ducati team is set to unveil its 2025 MotoGP season on Monday, January 20th, in Italy. This event will be significant as it will be the first time Marc Marquez appears in the brand's official colors.

On Monday, Ducati plans to host its customary launch event at the Madonna di Campiglio ski resort in Italy, where the company will reveal the official colors for its factory team for the upcoming MotoGP season.

Despite the brand securing the world championship last season through Pramac's Jorge Martin, marking Ducati's most successful year in the premier class with victories in 19 out of 20 grands prix, the official factory team finished as runners-up with Francesco Bagnaia.

Initially, Ducati intended to elevate Martin to its factory team. However, when Marc Marquez declined the opportunity to ride a factory bike with Pramac, Ducati's leadership reversed their decision, opting instead to offer the position to the eight-time world champion.

In 2025, Martin is set to compete for Aprilia, having revealed the team's new livery during an event held in Milan last week.

In the 2025 season, Marquez will rejoin a factory team after spending 2024 riding for the satellite Gresini Ducati team, following his decision to leave the official Honda team.

In 2025, he will team up with two-time MotoGP world champion Bagnaia, forming the line-up anticipated to be the one to surpass.

Last November, Marquez participated in the post-season test in Barcelona with the team, but he rode without any sponsor logos on his motorcycle or racing gear.

The Ducati unveiling ceremony is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. GMT.

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In Italy, there are claims that Valentino Rossi is eager to bring Pedro Acosta to VR46 soon. Reports suggest that Rossi is keen to discuss MotoGP matters with Acosta.

A meeting between Valentino Rossi and Pedro Acosta in Tavullia over the past weekend has sparked speculation in Italy.

Acosta participated in the 100km of Champions event organized by Rossi in his hometown.

This was not the MotoGP sensation's initial visit to Rossi's residence.

Reports from Italy suggest that Rossi was interested in discussing business matters with Acosta.

According to a report in Gazzetta, Pedro and Valentino appear to be more captivated by having a direct conversation about a future that is already here, rather than focusing on the flat track competition.

The nine-time world champion hailing from Pesaro is reportedly focused and has a specific goal in mind: to recruit Acosta into his VR46 team.

"When will it be? As quickly as we can manage. We'll find out soon."

Acosta excelled in his first year in MotoGP and quickly secured a move from KTM's satellite team to their main factory team for the 2025 season.

This year, he will join forces with Brad Binder, but even with a formidable lineup of four skilled riders, KTM faces significant challenges away from the racetrack.

The issues with their finances, which began after the end of the previous MotoGP season, have been thoroughly reported.

The company that produces the goods owes around €1.8 billion.

KTM assures that financial concerns will not hinder their racing plans.

However, Acosta might now be influenced by Rossi, and the MotoGP icon has significant insights to provide.

Following Pramac's transition to Yamaha, Rossi's VR46 team has become the leading satellite team for Ducati.

This year marks the first time that VR46 will have a Ducati with factory specifications.

Fabio di Giannantonio is set to race on the top motorcycle in the sport at present, whereas his teammate, Franco Morbidelli, will be using a bike from the previous year.

If Acosta is interested in joining Rossi's team, he would have a straightforward opportunity to access MotoGP's premier equipment. However, this move could only take place in 2026 at the earliest.

He has a long-term agreement with KTM, but his primary focus will be on issues outside of racing.

One significant consequence of KTM's financial situation is the uncertainty surrounding the future of their valuable asset, Acosta.

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Marc Marquez: 2027? 'Fewer technical aids, greater impact from the rider'

"The more technical elements there are, the more reliant you become on the [engineers]."

Spanish rider Marc Marquez has secured a two-year deal with the factory Ducati team, ensuring his participation in MotoGP competitions until the conclusion of the existing engine regulations in 2026.

Significant modifications are set for 2027, including the implementation of smaller 850cc engines, a decrease in aerodynamic elements, and a prohibition on ride-height adjustment devices.

The rider, who has won the world championship eight times and entered MotoGP in 2013 during the second year of the 1000cc engine era, is skeptical that reducing engine capacity will significantly affect lap times.

Marquez mentioned that a regulatory update is set for 2027, which will involve reduced aerodynamics and a slightly smaller engine size. However, he believes that the performance of the bikes will remain unchanged.

"I'm not sure how the factories manage it, but they consistently end up producing them quickly again."

According to Marquez, decreasing the aerodynamic features could help improve overtaking. Additionally, eliminating ride height systems, such as the holeshot devices used during race starts, would give riders more direct control.

He expressed that reducing the focus on aerodynamics is beneficial, as it is likely to result in more overtaking opportunities, allowing riders to have a greater impact on the outcome.

The topic of ride height devices evolves as well. In my opinion, when a motorcycle has fewer technical gadgets, the rider's skill becomes more significant. Conversely, the more technological elements there are, the more reliant you become on the engineers.

"A key objective in 2024 was to avoid getting injured." Marquez not only made a triumphant comeback to the MotoGP winner's circle with Gresini Ducati last year, but he also managed to go through an entire season without any injuries for the first time since 2017.

The individual underwent significant shoulder surgeries during the winters of 2018 and 2019. This was followed by four surgeries to address a fracture in the right arm sustained at Jerez in 2020. Additionally, they experienced two instances of double vision, a thumb fracture at Portimao in 2023, along with various other injuries that did not require surgery.

"I am in good shape physically," Marquez stated. "However, as any doctor will tell you, recovering fully and returning to the previous level after major injuries is challenging."

"That's why you need to put in extra effort now. Concentrate on the areas that have been weakened by the injuries, and from that point, aim to perform at your best so you'll be prepared for the start of the pre-season."

In 2024, avoiding injuries was crucial, even though they often occur unexpectedly. Maintaining consistency and a positive momentum was vital, and making physical improvements has also benefited me significantly.

"We will use this winter to address any weaknesses so that we can begin the 2025 season in top form."

Marquez, who secured the fourth-fastest time during his first outing on the factory Ducati at the Barcelona test last November, will return to the GP25 as official pre-season testing kicks off at Sepang in February.

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For two decades, Peter has been a fixture in the paddock, witnessing the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is currently leading the coverage on Suzuki's departure and the injury problems faced by Marc Marquez.

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The crucial tool provided by Gresini to aid its MotoGP newcomer in thriving

Gresini's team leader, Michele Masini, discusses the MotoGP newcomer, Aldeguer.

The sporting director of Gresini believes that Fermin Aldeguer has been provided with "the best crew chief" for a MotoGP rookie's debut season in the form of Frankie Carchedi.

Nineteen-year-old Aldeguer is advancing to the MotoGP category this season, joining the Gresini team following an agreement reached with Ducati early last year.

After making a significant impact in Moto2 by securing victory in eight grand prix races over the previous two seasons, Aldeguer caught the public's attention during his initial test on the Ducati in Barcelona last November, where he emerged as the leading newcomer.

He will team up with Carchedi as his crew chief. Carchedi collaborated with Marc Marquez the previous year and achieved the world championship with Joan Mir in 2020 while at Suzuki.

During Gresini's event to unveil their plans for the 2025 season on Saturday, Masini announced that Aldeguer's goal is to clinch the title of rookie of the year.

"Certainly, there were highs and lows last year, but in my opinion, he possesses both the speed and the talent," he remarked.

"Indeed, I was somewhat impressed with his initial test in Barcelona, as he managed to put in some strong laps on worn tires."

"However, I believe we will appreciate the initial year with a newcomer, as it presents a unique challenge for us with both Alex and Fermin."

"We are prepared, and I believe we have the top crew chief to mentor a newcomer. Additionally, aiming to become the rookie of the year is just our initial goal."

In an exclusive discussion with the Crash MotoGP Podcast, Carchedi shared that Aldeguer had already made an impressive advancement in his braking technique during his initial test.

Aldeguer is scheduled to participate in the Sepang shakedown later this month before the initial official pre-season testing begins.

As he anticipates the upcoming challenge, the Spanish rider believes it's pointless to concentrate heavily on lap times. Instead, he aims to "enjoy" the journey of mastering the art of riding a MotoGP motorcycle.

He mentioned that over the winter, he spent considerable time reflecting since the initial test went extremely well and he felt great right from the beginning.

"I have a few lessons I need to grasp. I made an attempt this winter, and now that I'm in Malaysia, I must remain concentrated, approach things correctly, keep a calm demeanor, ignore the clock and rankings, and simply take pleasure in learning with each lap."

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Enea Bastianini offers a glimmer of hope despite KTM's financial struggles. The soon-to-be Tech3 racer acknowledges a "challenging winter" due to the unpredictability surrounding KTM.

Enea Bastianini has stated that he has experienced "a difficult winter" because of the continuous unpredictability surrounding KTM's MotoGP project, but he mentioned that "things are becoming more stable."

Last year, a rider who has won seven MotoGP races entered into an agreement with KTM to join the Tech3 team under a factory contract starting in 2025.

A financial crisis has cast doubt on the future of the Austrian company's racing initiatives. A creditors' meeting held before Christmas disclosed that KTM plans to withdraw from MotoGP in an effort to reduce expenses.

KTM has announced that it will continue to compete in 2025, but has not committed to participating after that year.

Bastianini is committed to a long-term contract with KTM, but the current circumstances have cast uncertainty over his future in MotoGP.

During a new interview with Sky Sports Italy, Bastianini provided the latest information.

"It's been a challenging winter, but I've been focusing on my training and maintaining a positive mindset," he stated.

"I've been making an effort daily to prepare myself for the championship."

"At present, the situation is becoming more stable, leading to a noticeable increase in calmness."

"I'm putting in my full effort, and you can count on me to be ready."

Bastianini was hesitant to set any objectives for 2025 after having participated in just a single test day on the KTM last November.

"It's not practical to establish a goal right now," he stated.

"I've completed just 50 laps on the KTM, making it difficult to determine what the goal should be."

"I believe this bike has promise, though I might not be able to fully harness its capabilities in the initial races."

"I'm confident that with each race, we will reach our goal."

Last week, Bastianini teamed up with Matteo Casadei to participate in Valentino Rossi’s 100Km of Champions event held in Tavullia.

The duo secured the 15th position in the race, with Diogo Moreira and Thomas Chareyre taking the victory.

Enea Bastianini revealed last week that he parted ways with his long-time manager, Carlo Pernat, and has now signed a new contract with MSM, an agency located in London.

In an interview with GPOne, Pernat explained that the separation happened because his health issues have prevented him from traveling to the races.

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Valentino Rossi was rescued by two unexpected figures during his initial 500cc test. Rossi shares the story of how these two modest individuals played a crucial role in his debut in the top racing class.

MotoGP icon Valentino Rossi shared that his initial 500cc test in 1999 nearly ended in calamity, if not for the unexpected assistance of two individuals who were not well-known at the time.

Rossi joined Honda to compete in MotoGP starting with the 2000 season, representing what was officially a satellite team, after securing championships in the 125cc category in 1997 and the 250cc category in 1999.

Explore further: Reflecting on Valentino Rossi's transformative transition to Yamaha in MotoGP.

At the conclusion of his championship-winning year in the 250cc category, he had his initial experience with the NSR500, the motorcycle he would compete with during the 2000 and 2001 seasons, which marked the end of the 500cc era in MotoGP, during testing at Jerez.

During an appearance on Andrea Migno's podcast last year, Rossi's manager mentioned that they had made arrangements with Aprilia for him to wear their suits during the test. However, he accidentally left the suits at home and then discovered that he didn't have a helmet available either.

He started by saying, "The initial 500cc trial was wonderful."

When I got to Jerez towards the close of 1999, I had a couple of Honda suits with me. My manager had arranged with Aprilia for me to wear their suit.

"When I arrived in Jerez, I had two brand-new Honda suits with me, but I wasn't able to wear them. I had left my Aprilia suit back at home."

"I used Marcellino Lucchi's racing suit. I contacted a friend in Tavullia and told them, 'We'll fly you over, just bring us the Aprilia suit!'"

"I unzipped my bag to find eight visors inside, but there was no helmet! I had already started to worry earlier when I realized I had forgotten to pack the suit."

Rossi and his close associates devised a minor falsehood to extricate themselves from a difficult situation.

He recounted, "We experienced a flash of brilliance – 'they took my helmet!' That's how I was rescued. However, I didn't actually have a helmet."

During my initial test on a 500cc bike, I donned the racing suit belonging to Marcellino Lucchi and used a helmet that was owned by Gregorio Lavilla. Lavilla was a Superbike competitor for Kawasaki and had a helmet of his own.

I asked Lavilla if I could use one of her helmets since mine had been taken.

The initial experience of riding the 500cc is an unforgettable milestone for any motorcyclist. Wow, the sensation when you accelerate…

"I recall that the track seemed to become more confined and compact, which was quite pleasant. You begin to acclimate to the pace."

"On the second day, once I received my suit and helmet, I was quick as well. I was speedy at Phillip Island too."

Lucchi participated in grand prix racing between 1982 and 2004, achieving his only win during the 1998 Italian Grand Prix in the 250cc category.

In 2005, Lavilla clinched the British Superbike championship title riding for Ducati, and he currently serves as the executive director for Dorna's World Superbike division.

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Casey Stoner attributes the cause of the conflict between Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez

"You can't intimidate someone like Marc Marquez that easily…"

Casey Stoner has offered his perspective on the ongoing feud between Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez that has been a central topic in MotoGP discussions intermittently since 2015.

A decade later, the intense rivalry continues to ignite the fervor of MotoGP enthusiasts everywhere. With Marquez set to join forces with Rossi's mentee, Francesco Bagnaia, at Ducati this season, the intrigue only deepens.

For Stoner, Marquez has rightfully earned the criticism directed at him by some individuals.

"Stoner acknowledged on the Ducati Diaries podcast that Marc [Marquez] warranted some of the criticism directed at him."

"He made an attempt to enter the place."

Stoner asserted that Rossi was entirely at fault for the disagreement, insisting that Marquez was merely reacting to being provoked.

"Despite Marc being held responsible for everything," Stoner remarked, "it's often overlooked that Valentino [Rossi] was the one who initiated it.

"Marc is being Marc; it's something we've observed throughout his career on the racetracks, followed by Valentino initiating a verbal battle."

They were all companions, along with everything that entails, until Valentino initiated an action, prompting Marc to respond in kind due to his displeasure with the situation.

"Subsequently, everyone gets up in arms over it, overlooking the fact that Valentino actually instigated the situation."

Stoner argued that the rift between Rossi and Marquez was a strategic mistake on Rossi's part.

"He emphasized that if you're aware someone has a tendency to ride forcefully, don't assume you can intimidate them into backing down. He pointed out that attempting such a tactic on someone like Marc Marquez would be futile."

"Thus, throughout a season where he might have clinched another championship, what he's actually accomplished is provoking the most dangerous competitor to provoke: an individual capable of defeating you, someone who's quicker than you, and someone who could potentially knock you out of a race or even the entire championship."

The individual from Australia mentioned that in his view, Rossi was attempting to engage in psychological warfare with Marquez, a tactic that ceased to be effective in the late 2000s. This was when riders like Stoner, Dani Pedrosa, and Jorge Lorenzo ascended to the top tier on factory motorcycles and became formidable competitors against the Italian, who had been at the pinnacle of the sport since 2001.

Stoner reflected, "In my opinion, during Valentino's peak period – prior to the arrival of myself, Dani [Pedrosa], and Jorge [Lorenzo] – he had a knack for psychologically impacting his competitors. I'm convinced he continued to hold onto that belief."

"However, during our time with him, being from a younger generation and all, he essentially empowered us. We picked up on his techniques, understood his abilities, and from there, we figured out how to navigate those circumstances."

"Thus, it was an error on his behalf, essentially losing his grip amidst the media frenzy, initiating a conflict with Marc. This was followed by getting overly entangled in the Malaysian race events. And while Marc received his fair share of criticism, rightfully so to an extent, Valentino played a significant role in his own downfall during that episode."

Stoner and Rossi put their past competition behind them when the Australian unexpectedly showed up in Tavullia the previous year to ride at the VR46 Ranch.

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In August 2024, Alex became a member of the Crash.net crew after spending two years reporting on consumer and motorcycle racing news for Visordown.

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