Marquez: Rossi’s appeal “something unrepeatable” in MotoGP
Marc Marquez says Valentino Rossi’s appeal bringing MotoGP to a mainstream audience is “something unrepeatable”, as the Italian prepares for his final race on home soil.
Rossi will call time on his illustrious MotoGP career at the end of the 2021 season, and will end it having tallied up nine grand prix world titles – seven of which coming in the premier class – and 115 victories.
As well as the on-track success, Rossi helped push MotoGP and motorcycle racing in general into a mainstream audience with his appeal.
Rossi will make his final MotoGP appearance on home soil at Misano in this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, but arch-rival Marquez is convinced grandstands in 2022 will continue to be bathed in yellow #46 merchandise.
“Valentino, his sporting career and what he has done for MotoGP is something unique and will always be unique,” Marquez said on Friday at Misano. “It is not within anyone’s reach to repeat anything similar.
“He was the first to win a lot and he has done a lot for motorcycling, but above all he has attracted a huge number of fans to the sport.
“And that is something unrepeatable and for which MotoGP should be grateful to him.”
Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team and Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing
Photo by: Bridgestone
Marquez and Rossi had a major falling out during the 2015 season after the latter accused Marquez of conspiring with Jorge Lorenzo to sabotage the Italian’s title hopes.
That came to a head at Sepang when the pair collided, for which Rossi was forced to start the Valencia finale from the back of the grid and would ultimately lose the championship to Yamaha team-mate Lorenzo.
Tensions looked to have eased after Rossi beat Marquez in a thrilling 2016 Barcelona duel on the same weekend Moto2 race Luis Salom died in a practice incident, with Rossi and Marquez sharing an embrace for the first time since their 2015 fallout.
But the rivalry boiled over again in 2018 when Marquez, recovering from a ride-through penalty for an incorrect start procedure in Argentina, collided with Rossi – sparking a war of words between the pair again.
In interviews this year, Rossi maintains he was robbed of the title in 2015 and continues to blame Marquez for that.
Commenting on their current relationship, Marquez said: “My relationship with him is not good, but I have no problem recognising how important he has been to the sport and admitting the reality.
“In recent years we have no longer been direct rivals and it doesn't depend on me if the relationship changes, [it’s] something that doesn't matter much to me either.”
Emilia Romagna MotoGP: Zarco tops FP3, Quartararo to Q1
Marco Simoncelli: Remembering MotoGP's ultimate maverick 10 years on
RNF unveils new-look for first MotoGP season with Aprilia
RNF unveils new-look for first MotoGP season with Aprilia RNF unveils new-look for first MotoGP season with Aprilia
The helmet safety system slowly making its way to the MotoGP grid
The helmet safety system slowly making its way to the MotoGP grid The helmet safety system slowly making its way to the MotoGP grid
The hockey expansion rule that could benefit Andretti's F1 bid
The hockey expansion rule that could benefit Andretti's F1 bid The hockey expansion rule that could benefit Andretti's F1 bid
Honda good enough for fifth to 10th after Portugal MotoGP test – Marquez
Honda good enough for fifth to 10th after Portugal MotoGP test – Marquez Honda good enough for fifth to 10th after Portugal MotoGP test – Marquez
Marquez: Honda "cannot be optimistic" after first day of Portimao test
Marquez: Honda "cannot be optimistic" after first day of Portimao test Marquez: Honda "cannot be optimistic" after first day of Portimao test
Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP throne?
Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP throne? Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP throne?
Motorsport Network is delighted to have partnered with LIQUI MOLY for the 3rd consecutive year, as it expands MotoGP coverage
Motorsport Network is delighted to have partnered with LIQUI MOLY for the 3rd consecutive year, as it expands MotoGP coverage Motorsport Network is delighted to have partnered with LIQUI MOLY for the 3rd consecutive year, as it expands MotoGP coverage
Alpine calls for rethink over F1 grid box rules
Alpine calls for rethink over F1 grid box rules Alpine calls for rethink over F1 grid box rules
Frijns makes Formula E comeback with Abt after breaking wrist
Frijns makes Formula E comeback with Abt after breaking wrist Frijns makes Formula E comeback with Abt after breaking wrist
Sainz: Ferrari already identified development path amid F1 race pace weakness
Sainz: Ferrari already identified development path amid F1 race pace weakness Sainz: Ferrari already identified development path amid F1 race pace weakness
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
How one MotoGP team went from title challengers to losing it all in four years
How one MotoGP team went from title challengers to losing it all in four years How one MotoGP team went from title challengers to losing it all in four years
Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP throne?
Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP throne? Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP throne?
How MotoGP's underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023
How MotoGP's underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023 How MotoGP's underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023
How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races
How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races
Luca Marini: Why he's more than just Valentino Rossi's brother
Luca Marini: Why he's more than just Valentino Rossi's brother Luca Marini: Why he's more than just Valentino Rossi's brother
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.