Rossi’s Rivalry Revival: How Valentino’s Ducati Controversy Could Fuel Marquez’s MotoGP Dominance

Why Valentino Rossi's Hostility Towards Marc Marquez Will Ultimately Benefit His Rival

Valentino Rossi stirring up trouble at Ducati won't produce the intended outcome…

It's astonishing to realize that MotoGP is nearing the 10th anniversary of what many consider its most contentious incident. Valentino Rossi's claims of sabotage against Marc Marquez before the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix sparked a major upheaval that profoundly altered the championship.

The duo's clash at the Sepang Grand Prix; Rossi receiving a grid penalty for the decisive Valencia race; the passionate reactions from fans; Rossi's ongoing assertions of a lost championship; the permanent animosity between Rossi and Marquez from then onward.

It cast a shadow over the conclusion of an otherwise excellent season and took away from Jorge Lorenzo's ultimate world championship victory.

Marquez and Rossi had several clashes over the following years. However, as one rider consistently excelled and the other began to lose his edge, their conflicts reduced in intensity. Despite this, supporters of Rossi still show hostility towards Marquez in areas where Rossi is popular, though Marquez, an eight-time world champion, remains unfazed by this reaction.

Even in retirement, Rossi maintains that he was deprived of a 10th world championship, a belief that likely fueled his recent critical remarks about Ducati in an interview with L’Equipe.

"I still don't fully grasp it," he commented regarding Ducati offering Marc Marquez a factory contract for 2025.

Ducati implemented a fascinating structure, resembling a pyramid, to help young riders advance through the ranks.

"That was the environment Pecco [Bagnaia] grew up in, and both [Jorge] Martin and Marco Bezzecchi were also anticipating it. Then, out of the blue, Ducati chose to bring Marc on board."

"It's understandable that the riders feel let down. Suddenly, they're no longer valued, so it's no surprise they view Marquez's selection as a farce."

Marquez stands to gain from Rossi's involvement.

Rossi's actions are always meticulously planned. Throughout his racing career, he excelled at controlling the storyline to his advantage. This skill endeared him to the media and fans alike, leading to the growth of his legendary status in the 21st Century as he consistently overcame new competitors.

His remarks to L’Equipe were intended to provoke a reaction from Marquez, aiming to unsettle him.

It is widely known that Rossi's team was displeased when Ducati reversed its decision, choosing Marquez over Jorge Martin for the second factory team seat in 2025. The longstanding animosity between Rossi and Marquez made this outcome unavoidable.

However, this causes the Rossi team's reaction to appear as though it is driven by a concern over Marquez's ongoing impact on the championship.

Rossi has benefited from the changes in the rider market. Pramac's departure, due to their agreement with Yamaha for the next season, resulted in Rossi's VR46 team securing backing from Ducati's factory and a GP25 bike for Fabio Di Giannantonio's 2025 campaign.

Although Ducati likely anticipated remarks of this nature, they are still likely to feel some discomfort.

Bagnaia is highly cherished by the Italian motorcycle manufacturer. He holds the record as their most accomplished racer in MotoGP, bringing them their first major titles since 2007. Securing his commitment for an additional two years before the 2024 season starts demonstrates Ducati's deep admiration for Bagnaia.

He has shown himself to be quite composed. After he and Marquez crashed at the Portuguese Grand Prix, a composed Bagnaia informed the press that it was merely an incident typical of racing. In contrast, Marquez criticized Bagnaia for not pulling back in time to avoid the collision. However, similar to Rossi, Marquez's remarks are never made impulsively.

Bagnaia typically avoids engaging in public verbal disputes. However, Rossi’s impact might create a strained relationship between Bagnaia and Marquez in 2025 if their on-track interactions become contentious.

Ultimately, this is a rider who had a partition put up in the Yamaha garage in 2008, supposedly to prevent tyre information from being shared with Lorenzo’s team.

Facing Marquez on the same bike will be the toughest challenge of Bagnaia's MotoGP career. It's crucial that past rivalries don't affect his mindset when the battle gets tough.

This situation will ultimately work in Marquez's favor. He takes great pleasure in taunting unfriendly spectators by forcing them to see him celebrate on the winner's podium.

If Rossi decides to get involved in any potential conflict between Marquez and Bagnaia, Marquez will likely seize the chance to mock the Italian legend.

What could be more fitting than matching Rossi's record of nine world championships on the motorcycle he couldn't conquer, while also outperforming his star apprentice?

From a media standpoint focused on self-interest, Rossi sharing his thoughts is undoubtedly beneficial. Additionally, for MotoGP, his input will enhance the excitement of the 2025 championship fight, potentially attracting a larger audience.

However, the individuals most prone to experiencing negative effects are Rossi and Bagnaia…

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