Marquez, Rossi clash
After being overtaken by Marquez in the 13th lap of the Sepang GP, Rossi runs Marquez wide and when Marquez’s Honda gets too close, Rossi pushes his leg against the bike. Marquez falls off his bike and is forced to retire. Rossi continues and finishes in third place. The race is won by Jorge Lorenzo. Marquez:
We were having a good race up until the incident – we started a fight between us and I always passed without making contact with him. At Turn 14 he passed me on the inside and I saw him looking at me. I didn’t know what to do. Then he kicked out at me, knocking my brake lever, and I crashed. Both what Valentino said to race direction and what he did on the track has made me disappointed. I’ve never seen anything like it: a rider kicking another rider.
Disaster for @marcmarquez93 as he and @ValeYellow46 collide on track, #MarquezVsRossi https://t.co/zechiZeTyJ
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 25, 2015
Three point penalty
Following a post-race investigation, Rossi is given three penalty points and will start the final race of the season from the back of the grid after kicking Marquez off his bike during the Malaysian Grand Prix. MotoGP race director Webb:
It’s irresponsible riding causing a crash and for that we have imposed three penalties points on Rossi.
Rossi now leads Lorenzo by just seven points in the championship. Rossi:
Unfortunately, I lose a lot of time with Marc. And in turn 14, I tried to go a bit wide to take a better line and make him slow. He came to me and I think he crashed in that moment. His handlebar touched my foot and my foot slipped off, a bike can’t crash only with a touch. He has won his fight, he made me lose the championship.
Yamaha have said they will appeal against the sanction.
Appeals to court after penalty
Rossi appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after he was demoted to the back of the grid in the Valencia GP on Nov 8. He asks for an annulment or reduction of the penalty from three points to one. Rossi also files an application to stay the execution of the decision in order not to lose his place on the starting grid at the Valencia. The court will decide by Nov 6.
Assaulted by Italian reporters
When returning to his home in Lleida, after a day out dirt biking with his brother and father, Marquez is met by an Italian camera crew from Italian TV show Le Iene (The Hyenas). When Marquez refuses to be interviewed, they shout insults and make rude gestures at him. They follow him into his garage and scuffle with him, pulling his arm and scratching his neck. The family say they will file a police report, and release a statement:
A group of people appeared at the rider’s home and shouted a series of insults, made certain ridiculous and humiliating actions towards the rider himself and even pushed and assaulted his closest relatives. Given the seriousness of these actions, such acts have been condemned and the normal course of criminal proceedings will be followed against such persons.
The TV station also releases a statement:
Our Hyenas went to Spain this afternoon to try to deliver to the pilot of Motogp Marc Marquez the ‘Cup of Sh*t,’ A special prize designed to celebrate the ‘deeds’ of the Spanish rider. But things didn’t go as expected. We arrived in the vicinity of the dwelling of the parents of the pilot where we met Marc Marquez, his father, his brother and a friend. When we tried to deliver our cup we were attacked and in the struggle they broke the camera and took the video card. They must have wanted a bigger cup.
Journalists sue Marquez
Reporters for the satirical Italian TV programme ‘Le Iene’ (The Hyenas) instruct their lawyers to take legal action against Marquez and his relatives for assault, injury, slander and theft. They say says that the version of events released by Marquez’s lawyers is unverified, and insist that Marquez was not insulted or humiliated, and that it was actually the two reporters who were assaulted. The programme says it will release graphical evidence which “documents exactly what happened” on Monday Nov 2.
Honda: Data shows Rossi Kicked Marquez
Nakamoto says that, while video evidence is inconclusive, data from Marquez bike shows that Rossi kicked Marquez.
First of all, we would like to state that we believe it is very important to speak about the facts, not about assumptions. A fact is a fact and there is only one interpretation…It is clear that Valentino intentionally pushed Marc towards the outside of the track, which is out of the rules, therefore Marc had no other option other than to run wide. The data from Marc’s bike shows that even though he was picking up the bike trying to avoid contact with Valentino, his front brake lever suddenly received an impact that locked the front tyre, which is the reason for his crash. We believe that this pressure was a result of Rossi’s kick. The data acquisition from Marc’s bike is available if anybody from Dorna, the FIM or media want to check.
I know Marc well. He is a good guy, with strong and honest values. Marc was just trying to defend his position, as any rider would do, and we believe him 100%.
We respect the decision of Race Direction and don’t want to pass judgement if the penalty they administered was right or wrong. However, we do believe there was enough evidence to allow them to take a decision during the race, it was not necessary to wait until the end.
Marquez: ‘I have never felt like this’
Marquez says he has never experienced anything like his recent troubles with Rossi.
During my career I have had many battles, but I never have I felt this. On that corner Valentino passed me, but then I saw he was completely straight and looking at me and stopping a lot. I was just waiting because there was nothing to do at that point and then I saw with his leg he pushed my arm and my front brake, and then I locked the front wheel and crashed.
In response to the accusation of deliberately interfering in the title battle in recent races:
You know I don’t want to be involved more in the championship. Valentino surprised everybody [with his comments], but I didn’t consider that because I just did my weekend [at Phillip Island]. Of course we can fight, we can overtake, we can have small contact, but in [Malaysia] until that moment we never had contact. I don’t know how inside the helmet you can think to push out another rider with your leg. I’ve never seen that. OK, I am very young, but I am disappointed.
Yamaha: Rossi did not kick Marquez
Yamaha issues a statement refuting claims made by Honda that Rossi kicked Marquez.
Yamaha would like to express its disagreement with the words that have been used to report on the incident between riders Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez. Both press releases included words that accuse Valentino Rossi of kicking Marc Marquez‘s bike that is something not proven by the investigation of the Race Direction.We therefore reject the wording used in the said published statements that do not correspond with the findings of the Race Direction. Yamaha has no wish to enter into further discussion regarding this unfortunate affair and our desire is to conclude the 2015 MotoGP season in the best possible way. We go to Valencia with the clear intention of trying our best to win what we hope will be a memorable final race with all riders and teams competing in an exemplary sportsmanlike manner befitting the top category of motorcycle racing.
Regrets going wide
Marquez says he regrets going wide at Sepang, but that it’s time to move on.
Unfortunately I don’t have any other choice. I just regret going wide and not to follow my normal line. Except for that, it’s better that we speak about this weekend…It’s been a difficult week after what happened in Sepang but I’ve tried my best to put it behind me and concentrate on my training and looking forward to the final race of the season. We want to finish on a high note so we will work hard from Friday to get the bike setup well and give ourselves the best chance for the race. I’ve had mixed results here in the past but I enjoy racing here in front of the home fans. I hope the events of the past week can be put behind us and we can focus on the race.
Second after free practice
Marquez has the fastest time in FP1, and is fifth in FP2, leaving him second overall. The Honda team is experimenting with a variety of tyres and different settings. He says the Hondas are especially hard on the front tyre, but that he is feeling confident on used tyres when running the hardest option.
I’m happy because I went out on track and got back to enjoying myself riding; it was important and something I was really looking forward to doing. It’s been a positive day because we did a good job with the setup of the bike. In the second session we worked hard with Sunday’s race in mind, riding with used tyres and also testing the hardest compound. We are pretty clear about how we can continue to improve tomorrow, because the track temperature increased a lot and if it stays like this, we will have to concentrate on the durability of the tyres.
Second on grid, will challenge Lorenzo
After final free practice, Marquez will be second on the grid at Valencia, after Lorenzo. Rossi will start at the back of the grid. Asked about whether he would challenge Lorenzo in the final lap:
It will be interesting to arrive in the final lap like this. But if I see the space and it’s clear, I will try [to pass], because in the end the best way to finish the season is with a victory. Like in Australia, if there is a lot of risk, we will see. If it’s a closing gap or a small space, I will try.
However, Marquez says Honda is currently struggling for long-run pace compared to Lorenzo, as high temperatures are causing problems with tyre overheating.
Nobody expected this temperature. We are struggling there. We’ve tried to change the balance of the bike to avoid these problems, but when you avoid a problem, another one is coming. We’ve tried to manage well but they say tomorrow will be a little bit colder and maybe that will help us.
Valencia GP: 2nd place
0 CommentsRossi claims Spanish ‘stitch up’
Rossi says he was denied his win by a Spanish ‘stitch-up’’. Rossi say Lorenzo is a deserving champion but he could not understand why Honda should want to see a Yamaha rider win. He accuses Márquez of being a ‘biscottone’ – an expression used in football when two teams play out a mutually beneficial draw to the detriment of another – but said he expected no less.
I did what I could but it was a strange situation having Márquez as the bodyguard of Lorenzo. It is embarrassing for the sport. Hopefully the sport’s authorities will be able to sort it out. It is an ugly end to what has been an attractive championship. It has not been a true championship and this should not happen in sport.
Márquez responds that it is ‘a lack of respect’ to suggest he had not tried to win:
I always give everything and I know there will be people that will say that I have been second because I wanted Lorenzo to win.
Lorenzo, however, says that the Spaniards may have helped each other:
The fact that they knew what I was going for and that they are Spanish has helped me and in another race they may have tried everything to overtake. Dani did well because he could have tried a crazy overtake. We are Spanish and the title remains in Spain. If it had been in Italy and with two Italians behind Rossi then it would have been the same.
Wins 2015 BMW M award
Marquez wins the BMW M Award for the third time in a row, and receives a BMW M6 convertible. Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner have also won the award three times. The BMW M Award is calculated based on qualifying positions. Pole position is rewarded with 25 points, second place on the grid earns 20 points and third place scores 16 points – right down to one point for 15th. The rider with the most points at the end of the season wins the Award. Marquez:
I am really happy to have won the BMW M Award for third time in a row. For us riders, this award is always something special. The BMW M6 is a great car and I like the acceleration and the handling. The fact that it is the BMW M6 Convertible makes this prize even more special. It is the first time that I won a convertible car and for me living in Spain, this is just perfect. I can’t wait to get in the car and drive it.
BMW:
The BMW M Award is an important pillar of our comprehensive involvement in MotoGP and when selecting the prize it is important to us to pick a real highlight each season. I feel that we have managed this once again with the BMW M6 Convertible…We hope Marc Marquez enjoys his BMW M6 Convertible and look forward to next season and the 2016 BMW M Award.
Ends Valencia test on top
1 CommentsDespite crashing twice over the two days of testing the 2016 Honda RC213V in Valencia, Marquez finishes first with a time of 1:31.367. The testing marks the official start of the 2016 season and includes technical changes such as a Spec ECU that all teams must use; Michelin taking over as the sole tyre supplier; a fuel limit of 22 litres for all and the use of seven engines for the year, plus the bikes now have to weigh a maximum of 157kg compared to 158kg in 2015. Wheel diameter has also been increased by half an inch to 17” by Michelin, to bring them more inline with road bikes.
Doesn’t enjoy electronics
Marquez says he is not happy with the new ECU unit.
We play with many things, work a lot and the problem with the electronics is that you make five laps and then you stay half an hour or one hour in the box trying to fix. We need time to try and understand it well. At the moment I’m not enjoying it a lot. The thing is my bike didn’t spin. It’s just moving and cutting and I think we are far from the potential of these electronics. At the moment I still didn’t understand well. I’m riding fast and pushing but I want to understand it better for the slides and all these things
Rossi drops Marquez merchandize
According to Italian website, Corriere della Sera, Rossi has decided to end his business ties with Marquez. Beginning next year, the VR46 Store, will no longer manage Marquez’s MM93 merchandise. The Tavullian company owned by Rossi manages the merchandise of 20 riders and hails an annual turnover of 12.5 million euros. Next year, another company will be dealing with the sale of t-shirts, caps and other novelty MM93 products.
Suppo: Marquez crazy not to beat Jorge
Repsol Honda team principal, Livio Suppo, comments on how Marquez should deal with the situation.
Go on holiday and relax. I think there’s nothing really we can add, especially Marc. If people believe him we are happy, if they don’t I think ‘time is a gentleman’ [an Italian phrase that can mean ‘time is a healer’ or ‘the truth will come out’]. I’m just so sad for what happened on Sunday [at Valencia] because I know that Marc really wanted to win this race. And when I saw him in parc ferme, I’ve never seen him so disappointed. Because he is a clever guy – you must be stupid to do deliberately what happened on Sunday…If you think seriously, with no pressure, you understand that it is crazy for Marc not trying to beat Jorge. Even if Marc finished in front of Jorge with Dani in third, Jorge was still world champion with the same points [as Rossi]. That would probably be even better, because this championship was deserved by both of them [Rossi and Lorenzo] and it would then have been decided only by different race wins.
He also says he has a lot of respect for Rossi.
I met Valentino coming back from Indy I think, in the lounge at the airport, and I said honestly I have more respect now than I have 10 years ago. Because what he’s done this season – it doesn’t matter if he won the championship or not – has been unbelievable; 36 years old, coming from the 500 and still able to fight with the young guns that are riding in a totally different way. And this year to beat almost all of them and lose the championship by only five points has been really unbelievable. Of course we cannot be happy with the situation that has been created by the words of Valentino, starting from the Sepang press conference. I really hope Valentino will understand that Honda and Marc are not against him. We just try to do our championship and if he thinks differently I’m very sorry, but it’s not like that.
Searching for ‘correct engine balance’
Marquez ends the fourth day for Winter testing saying he still has to find the correct balance for Honda’s 2016 engine.
Today I ride all day with the Magneti Marelli. I didn’t try again the Honda software, I just concentrated on Magneti Marelli. I tried both engines, but I really concentrated all day with the new engine. Because I think, already, working on the new electronics is slow, takes a lot of time, and I see that with the 2015 engine, and the 2016 engine, we need a completely different map…It’s different. Last year’s engine was aggressive in the top. Now we have more power in the bottom, but still we don’t understand the way to deliver this torque. It looks like aggressive in the bottom, but then smoother in the top compared with last year, but the thing is that we can reduce, no? So we must work, because if we reduce too much, then we get aggressive in the top, so we must check to find the correct balance.
He also comments of the MIchelin front tires:
[I had] A lot [of near crashes] In the moment that you find the limit. Today it was a little bit better, because we worked with the set up, so it was better, but still a few crashes again today.
Crashes twice in testing
On the third and final day of testing at Jerez, Spain, Marquez, crashes twice.
Today I had two crashes. One big high-side, something in Turn 3, on Doohan corner, I go in with some gas, and never happen in MotoGP, but maybe we have to understand well this new electronics. I was with gas consistent, but in one moment I lose really aggressive the rear wheel, and then I fly! But lucky I was well. The second one was we did the comparison with both engines and everything, and Honda asked for us to be on the limit to try to compare well, and the limit on the brake point with the Michelin is dangerous. So we did a good three days, we got a lot of information, but I think that at the moment, this new engine, it has a little bit more potential compared to the old one, but still we are far I think from the best level.
On what needs to be done over the winter:
I think Michelin will work on the front tire especially, Honda must work on the mechanical side, to try to be smoother, to try to gain on the acceleration, and by electronics, we have this so we have to understand it well. But the electronics is the thing that if you don’t ride, you don’t understand, so we must work on the mechanical side, and the Michelin, sure, they will improve.