Marc Marquez has hit back at accusations made by Valentino Rossi

Marc Marquez has recently fired back at comments made by his former rival, Valentino Rossi, igniting a renewed debate among MotoGP fans. Rossi stirred the pot during a podcast, revisiting the controversial end to the 2015 season, a topic that continues to evoke strong emotions within the racing community. He claimed that Marquez showed satisfaction when Rossi received a significant penalty that forced him to start from the back of the grid in the final race of 2015, effectively ending his championship hopes.

In response, Marquez addressed the situation during an interview with DAZN, acknowledging he had seen the remarks but emphasizing that he has more pressing concerns. “I have much more important things on my mind than to focus on those comments,” he said. Marquez, an active competitor, expressed that he has no interest in engaging in past rivalries. “I know exactly where my focus needs to be, and I won’t allow anyone to mislead me now or in the future.”

Rossi elaborated on the incident from 2015, recounting the punishment he received for a collision with Marquez at Sepang, which resulted in a last-place starting position at Valencia—a first in MotoGP history. He expressed his disbelief at the decision, feeling it unjustly affected his championship run. Rossi recalled the tense moment when the race director announced the penalty, stating that it felt as if he had already lost the title. He added that Marquez’s demeanor during the announcement was unsettling, suggesting a sense of complicity.

As Marquez prepares for the Emilia-Romagna MotoGP, he is eyeing his third consecutive victory. Reflecting on his recent successes, he joked with DAZN, “Fourteen days without a win can feel like an eternity.” He expressed that winning two races back-to-back has bolstered his confidence and composure. However, he acknowledged that each race brings its unique challenges, especially with potential weather changes that could impact track conditions.

In preparation for the upcoming race, Marquez shared insights from a recent test session where the focus was on discarding unsuccessful strategies from previous grand prix events. He emphasized the importance of finding a comfortable setup for the bike, as he finished the test feeling optimistic about his performance heading into the weekend. With the anticipation building, both Marquez and Rossi’s comments continue to resonate, reminding fans of the intense history that shapes the world of MotoGP.