TENSION between riders overshadowed the penultimate MotoGP race of the season in Sepang, Malaysia yesterday (Sunday) when Italian seven-times world champion Valentino Rossi apparently kicked current title defender, Spain's Marc Márquez, as the latter tried to overtake him on lap 14.
Dani Pedrosa (Repsol-Honda RC 213 V) and his triumph over his first victory since his operation for compartmental syndrome on his arm paled into insignificance in the face of his team-mate and compatriot's plight at the hands of Rossi (Yamaha YZR M 1), whose own team-mate Jorge Lorenzo – placed second in Sepang – unleashed his fury publicly over the Italian's behaviour.
“It's clear he [Rossi] took Márquez off,” says the Mallorca-born rider, outraged.
Lorenzo: “If Valentino wins the championship, it'll be very unfair”
“We've all lost respect for Rossi now. It's incredible, I couldn't believe it – I'd never do this in my life, when you're taking a bend practically lying down,” storms Jorge Lorenzo.
Lorenzo was critical of what he called a 'lenient' sanction imposed on Rossi as a result – three penalty points and forced to start at the back of the grid at the final race of the season at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Cheste, near Valencia.
“Rossi [first picture, left] kicked Márquez [first picture, right and second picture] off and gets 16 points, but Marc doesn't get any, which is unfair. At the very least, Rossi should have the same number of points as Marc – if Marc has zero points, Valentino should have been given the same.
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