03-19 – GP of the Americas – #ArgentineClash: Rossi and Marquez, still cold, focus on Austin –

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#ArgentineClash: Rossi and Marquez, still cold, focus on Austin

03-19 - GP of the Americas - #ArgentineClash: Rossi and Marquez, still cold, focus on Austin -

Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi spoke individually ahead of the 2018 Americas Grand Prix, without making any changes to their statements made after their crash in Argentina. Both nevertheless express a desire to turn the page … to the great relief of their rivals! Tense debriefing.

As explained, Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez were excluded from the traditional opening press conference of the GP of the Americas to avoid new conflicts, following the extreme tensions arising from their collision on the circuit of Termas de Rio Hondo (Argentina).

  • MNC of April 16, 2018 : 
  • MNC special file : 
  • MNC special file : 

Dorna (promoter of MotoGP) and the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM) have also sharply criticized the two stars of the category for their virulent exchanges of comments through interposed media or on social networks. In short: Rossi and Marquez are asked to stop adding fuel to the fire, an opinion shared by a majority of other pilots.

03-19 - GP of the Americas - #ArgentineClash: Rossi and Marquez, still cold, focus on Austin -

"I think we need to control the battles a little better, it should stay on track and not in the media," said Jack Miller during the press conference, explaining that the facts are not always well presented when are collected hot… 

"It’s silly and immature"

The Australian driver, long at the head of the Argentinian GP after starting from pole, draws a parallel with the conflict between Dani Pedrosa and Marco Simoncelli in 2011, when the poorly controlled passion of the Italian made the object of the wrath of the Spanish. At the time, Pedrosa had very harsh remarks about "Sic", which had sent him to the carpet at the GP of France.

03-19 - GP of the Americas - #ArgentineClash: Rossi and Marquez, still cold, focus on Austin -

"Look how it ended," "Jackass" remembers, referring to the tragic accident that killed Simoncelli a few months later, during the disastrous Malaysian GP in Sepang. Pedrosa then expressed deep distress to the father of No.58, his anger giving way to sadness and regret….

"We risk all our lives by running and that people take sides, argue, and that pilots also argue, I find that it is silly and immature. Life is short and we risk it on the track", recall with some common sense Jack Miller.

For Marquez, the "concern" is settled

And the main stakeholders, what do they think? Nothing more or less than in Argentina! Marc Marquez delivered the same analysis yesterday afternoon as that provided to Termas de Rio Hondo, with a focus on delicate racing conditions.

03-19 - GP of the Americas - #ArgentineClash: Rossi and Marquez, still cold, focus on Austin -

"In the race, the conditions were quite complicated and a lot of things happened," recalls the defending champion. "But I’m a driver who likes to progress, who likes to learn in this specific case from his mistakes. I made some, I was penalized and I went to apologize. There are no more worries about my side ", believes Marc Marquez.

"Everyone has their opinion on the Termas race, all of them are respectable," he said. "But I prefer to focus on myself, on my driving and leave the rest aside. I have seen the race several times, trying to bring out the good and the bad, so that it does not happen again. not in the future ", concludes the HRC pilot, making – vaguely – amends.

Rossi thinks "better to go ahead"

Interviewed in the wake of Marquez, Valentino Rossi was always as upset against his Spanish rival that he accuses of coming into contact with other pilots voluntarily and of making him "afraid on the track" … The Doctor had also indicated on Instagram that the race in Argentina had been "destroyed by a dangerous driver" !

03-19 - GP of the Americas - #ArgentineClash: Rossi and Marquez, still cold, focus on Austin -

"I watched the race again and honestly I still mean what I said," attacked the Yamaha rider whose crash caused by Marquez is costing him valuable points in the championship. "I confirm every word I say, but it’s better to go ahead […] You have to look to the future and focus on this weekend".

"I think it’s important to get back on track, to find my team," continues the transalpine star who is 8th in the provisional standings. "I am also very happy to be here. The route is not easy, which means that there is work ahead".

This willingness to try to put their dispute aside is excellent news, which should reduce the enormous pressure felt in the paddocks by a few notches. However, Rossi harbors a deep resentment towards Marquez: the proof with his answer when asked about the possibility of going to sit at a table with him to lay things down…

03-19 - GP of the Americas - #ArgentineClash: Rossi and Marquez, still cold, focus on Austin -

"I don’t know, it might not be the right time yet. Maybe later," dodged the No. 46 who remains stuck in his position and wants to avoid his rival as much as possible. Remember that Valentino Rossi remained seated in the back of his cubicle when Marquez came to apologize to him after the Argentinian GP, ​​leaving his loyal lieutenant to send the Spanish to graze….

A not very constructive attitude, especially since Uccio does not have the legitimacy to take sides in this scenario: the drivers are the only ones who can accurately judge what is happening on the track, more than 300 km / h or with 60 ° angle. For Lin Jarvis, director of the official Yamaha team also present in the box, to welcome Marc Marquez "freshly" would have been much more logical and understandable.. 

Rossi criticizes the Zarco-Pedrosa contact

Finally, Valentino Rossi gave his opinion on the collision that occurred in the first round between Zarco and Pedrosa, who ended up on the mat after having dismissed under the – too – strong insistence of the French. Result: Spaniard had to undergo a new operation to reduce a broken wrist.

03-19 - GP of the Americas - #ArgentineClash: Rossi and Marquez, still cold, focus on Austin -

"I think my incident with Marc is worse, but what Zarco did to Pedrosa was not correct," said Rossi, who nevertheless kept a "dog of his bitch" towards the Tech3 pilot, following their pass from electric weapons from the start of the previous season.

Good news: Dani Pedrosa has been given the green light from doctors to ride this weekend in Austin and will try to make up part of the delay in Argentina, where he did not score any points following his crash.

Zarco is shared…

Asked about the conflict between Marquez and Rossi, Johann Zarco for his part delivered a shared analysis: "we touch two gods, Vale and Marc, because he does impossible things", considers the French, third in the provisional behind Crutchlow and Dovizioso.

03-19 - GP of the Americas - #ArgentineClash: Rossi and Marquez, still cold, focus on Austin -

For Johann Zarco, the situation is unfavorable for Marc Marquez insofar as the latter was penalized and does not score any points: the Tech3 rider, also quite focused on aggressive overtaking, sees it as a kind of double penalty for the Honda rider..

"He had a penalty and didn’t score any points in Argentina: it’s probably the worst for him", thinks Johann, passing a bit quickly on the fact that Valentino Rossi – 19th at the finish behind Marquez! – also leaves Argentina with a clean record, while he bears no responsibility for his fall !

03-19 - GP of the Americas - #ArgentineClash: Rossi and Marquez, still cold, focus on Austin -

The n ° 5 recalls that in 2015, when the percussion between Rossi and Marquez had triggered the "SepangGate", the Italian had not received any sanction for his action. "It is therefore difficult to decide", concludes wisely Johann Zarco … who could well see himself succeed Marc Marquez on the first place of the podium on Sunday in Austin !

Note that neither Maverick Viñales nor Andrea Dovizioso wished to give their vision on the clash between Rossi and Marquez, "Dovi" explaining not wanting to get involved in these kinds of situations. "I did not do it in 2015, I will not do it today", indicates the Italian who prefers efficiency to the brash. As on the track, in short ! 

Statements by MotoGP riders at a press conference

Cal Crutchlow:  "I don’t know if I’ve silenced the critics, but yes, don’t doubt me. I think we deserve this place in the championship because my team is doing a great job. We had a very good start to the season, whether it was during the tests or in the race. We had a good pace in Argentina, I hope we will manage to keep it. For the moment, we are leading the drivers and teams rankings, this being so it will be maybe quite different in Valencia. So we will take things as they come, we will adjust our expectations as the turns go by because things don’t always go the way we would have liked. But yes, it’s nice to be as competitive as the official drivers, it’s good for the championship ".

Andrea Dovizioso : "Finishing sixth when you want to fight for the championship doesn’t thrill us. We didn’t have the pace compared to Jack, proof that we didn’t necessarily work in the best possible way. But the conditions were tough and a lot In the end, we were lucky to score so many points, because they allow us to be well placed in the championship […] We have to fight for the podium or the Top 5 and play for victory when it is. possible. I think this year will be different compared to 2017, because many riders are fast. In other words, you will have to tackle the events one after the other ".

Johann zarco "It’s nice to be on the podium in the second race and to be so close to winning. On the last lap I was in Cal’s wake and thought I could win, but the conditions weren’t clear. . So this second place was the best solution. I am also happy to be third overall. Only two events have been contested, a lot can happen, but it’s good. Finally this result confirms that of the Qatar […] Austin is a circuit where Marc is generally very strong. But why not continue to dream and fight for a podium. After all I have a year of experience behind me, I understand the bike more. ".

Maverick Viñales: "These two races allowed us to understand a lot of things. It was important not to fall and to register points. During the second half of the race, I also felt much better. We must now realize better qualifying … But I’m confident I’ve always been fast in the past in Austin. I can’t wait to hit the track to see if we can improve further. We’re not fully ready yet, I’ve suffered a lot this winter to find the right feeling. I started to get comfortable on the last lap at Losail. So we have to keep working. I think if we improve a few details we can be as bad as the year past".

Alex Rins: "We did a good job in the pre-season, resulting in our bike being a lot more competitive. The weekend was perfect in Argentina, a bit like in Qatar except that I got trapped. Great progress compared to last season. I am also more experienced. I can’t wait to start as it is one of my favorite circuits, I have fond memories of it. Anyway, we have to keep at the same level, work hard from the start trying to get in the top ten for qualifying ".

Jack Miller: "I’m frustrated, but partly satisfied. It was a positive weekend for us. I got back the feeling I had in Thailand and Malaysia, because in Qatar we weren’t competitive enough. The race was far from obvious. I led a good part of the race with the others behind me and then I got caught in a wetter place. This mistake cost me the podium. am wanted during the week, but I think I learned a lot […] There are so many competitive riders that you cannot doubt anyone. Independent teams who win and dominate the podium … it will get better and better at as the season progresses ".

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