Marc Marquez has dismissed Valentino Rossi’s recent assertions of a conspiracy against him during the 2015 season, a year when Jorge Lorenzo narrowly secured the championship over Rossi. Marquez reflected on his own challenges, particularly a career-threatening injury with Honda that nearly ended his MotoGP career. His move to Gresini Ducati marked a pivotal moment, providing a fresh opportunity to return to the pinnacle of the sport.
During the contentious 2015 season, Rossi lost the championship to Lorenzo amidst several disputed on-track clashes with Marquez. Rossi still maintains that Marquez conspired against him, blaming his championship defeat on these actions, and shows no signs of letting go of the controversy. In response, Marquez relayed to Marca, “Two can’t fight if one doesn’t want to.”
Focusing on his time with Gresini, Marquez recognized it as his best chance to compete at the highest level with Ducati after a difficult stint at Honda, which included a significant right arm injury sustained at the 2020 MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix. After enduring three surgeries and a rocky return in 2021, his struggles with the uncompetitive Honda RC213V led to his transition to Ducati, marking a new chapter in his prestigious career. Reflecting on this tough period, he shared:
“When you suddenly experience the darker side of sports, it changes you without you realizing.”
“An injury puts you in a negative mindset where you start to understand what can happen. After returning, even with discomfort, you begin to recognize that winning isn’t the norm; being second or third becomes more common since one wins and twenty lose.”
“That’s why I appreciate my victories more now than before.”
“At Gresini, I’ve found the ideal environment to revive myself, free from pressure, and enjoy the sport again. It’s a passionate team that used to belong to Fausto, now run by his wife, alongside dedicated long-term members. It blends enthusiasm with professionalism.”
“In sports, you must live in the present; your worth is determined by your recent performances, and I was just beginning to adapt to the Ducati, improving consistently.”
“When they informed me I was their chosen one, I didn’t question it; I simply said, ‘okay, where do I sign?’ and that was the end of it.”
“Gigi Dall’Igna conveyed this to me, and I responded with gratitude, determined to prove it was the right choice.”
