MotoGP Legend Casey Stoner: “Marquez and Rossi Were Once Friends, But Valentino Was the One Who Started the Feud”
The rivalry between Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi is one of the most dramatic and contentious in MotoGP history. It’s a saga that has captivated fans, split loyalties, and made headlines for nearly a decade. Now, MotoGP legend Casey Stoner has weighed in on the feud, offering his unique perspective on what really happened between the two riders. According to Stoner, Marquez and Rossi were once friends, but it was Valentino who “started” the conflict that escalated into one of the sport’s most infamous rivalries.
Stoner, a two-time MotoGP World Champion who raced against both Rossi and Marquez during his career, has never shied away from giving his honest opinions on the sport. His insight, especially regarding this particular feud, carries significant weight because he was present during the height of the rivalry and experienced firsthand the competitive nature of both riders. In a recent interview, Stoner said, “Marquez and Rossi were friends before, but it was Valentino who started it.”
This statement has reignited the conversation about the infamous Marquez-Rossi conflict, particularly the incidents during the 2015 season, which is widely regarded as the point of no return for their relationship. But to understand Stoner’s comments fully, it’s essential to go back and analyze the history between these two MotoGP icons.
The Early Days: Marquez as a Rossi Admirer
In the early stages of Marc Marquez’s career, he was an admirer of Valentino Rossi. The young Spanish rider, who debuted in MotoGP in 2013, frequently expressed his respect and admiration for Rossi, who by then had already established himself as one of the greatest riders in the history of the sport. Rossi, known for his charisma and popularity both on and off the track, was a hero to many young riders, including Marquez.
In those early years, the relationship between the two riders was friendly. Marquez often spoke about how much he had learned from watching Rossi race, and Rossi, in turn, acknowledged the raw talent that Marquez brought to the sport. The two shared smiles on the podium and seemed to have mutual respect for each other.
However, the MotoGP world is notoriously competitive, and friendships can easily be strained when titles and legacies are on the line. As Marquez quickly rose to prominence, winning his first MotoGP title in 2013 and defending it in 2014, the dynamics between the two began to shift. Marquez’s aggressive riding style and his ability to win races against seasoned veterans like Rossi started to change the friendly relationship into something more competitive.
The 2015 Turning Point: The Feud Begins
The 2015 MotoGP season is where the tension between Marquez and Rossi reached a boiling point. Rossi, at 36 years old, was still a dominant force and was chasing what would have been his 10th world championship title. Marquez, already a two-time world champion at the age of 22, was seen as the young prodigy who could potentially surpass Rossi’s achievements.
The rivalry reached a pivotal moment during the 2015 Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang. Rossi, locked in a fierce battle for the championship with Jorge Lorenzo, accused Marquez of deliberately interfering with his title chances. Rossi claimed that Marquez, who was no longer in the championship hunt, was racing aggressively to help Lorenzo, his fellow Spaniard, win the title. Rossi publicly stated that Marquez was “playing games” and trying to disrupt his race.
The tension between Rossi and Marquez exploded on track during the race. The two riders engaged in a fierce battle for position, and on Lap 7, they collided, resulting in Marquez crashing out of the race. Rossi was penalized for the incident and was forced to start from the back of the grid at the final race in Valencia, which effectively ended his hopes of winning the championship. Lorenzo went on to win the title, and Rossi was left to reflect on what many saw as a controversial end to his championship bid.
In the aftermath, the relationship between Rossi and Marquez was irreparably damaged. Both riders gave conflicting accounts of the incident, and the MotoGP community was divided over who was at fault. Some sided with Rossi, believing Marquez had deliberately sabotaged his race, while others saw it as a racing incident where Rossi had overreacted.
Stoner’s Perspective: “Valentino Started It”
Casey Stoner’s recent comments on the feud offer a fresh perspective on the rivalry. Stoner, who retired from MotoGP in 2012, had his own run-ins with Rossi during his career, most notably in 2011 when the two clashed at the Jerez Grand Prix, resulting in Stoner being knocked out of the race. Stoner has always been vocal about his opinions on Rossi, and his latest remarks suggest that Rossi may have played a more significant role in instigating the feud with Marquez.
“Valentino was the one who started it,” Stoner said. He elaborated that while Marquez and Rossi had been friendly before the 2015 season, things took a turn when Rossi began to see Marquez as a genuine threat to his legacy. According to Stoner, Rossi’s public accusations about Marquez trying to influence the championship were what truly ignited the conflict.
“Valentino made those comments about Marc trying to help Lorenzo, and that’s when things changed,” Stoner explained. “Before that, they were competitors, but there was still respect. After Sepang, everything changed. It became personal.”
Stoner’s view suggests that Rossi’s decision to accuse Marquez of manipulating the race outcome was the catalyst for the feud. Whether or not Marquez was deliberately interfering with Rossi’s title hopes, the accusations themselves created a level of animosity that would never be resolved.
The Aftermath: A Rivalry That Changed MotoGP
The fallout from the 2015 season was profound. Marquez and Rossi’s relationship remained frosty in the years that followed, and the two riders continued to exchange barbs both on and off the track. Rossi, despite his advancing age, remained competitive, while Marquez went on to dominate MotoGP, winning multiple world championships and establishing himself as one of the greatest riders of all time.
For fans, the Marquez-Rossi rivalry became one of the defining stories of the sport. It wasn’t just about racing anymore—it was about personal pride, legacy, and the fierce competition between two generations of riders. Marquez, the young prodigy, had dethroned Rossi, the established king of MotoGP, and the feud between them became symbolic of the changing of the guard in the sport.
Despite the drama, both riders have managed to maintain their status as icons in the sport. Rossi’s retirement in 2021 marked the end of an era, but his impact on MotoGP remains undeniable. Marquez, meanwhile, has struggled with injuries in recent years but continues to chase more titles and cement his place in history.
The Legacy of the Marquez-Rossi Feud
The Marquez-Rossi feud will likely be remembered as one of the most intense rivalries in MotoGP history. It was a rivalry that transcended racing and captured the attention of fans around the world. For some, it was a tragic end to what could have been a great partnership between two of the sport’s greatest talents. For others, it was a reminder of just how competitive and passionate MotoGP can be.
Stoner’s recent comments have reignited the debate over who was truly at fault for the breakdown in relations between Marquez and Rossi. While some will agree with Stoner that Rossi “started it,” others will point to Marquez’s aggressive riding and refusal to back down as contributing factors. Regardless of where the blame lies, the rivalry between Marquez and Rossi is one of the most compelling narratives in MotoGP’s rich history.
As the sport continues to evolve, the Marquez-Rossi saga will remain a topic of discussion, with fans and pundits alike revisiting the pivotal moments that defined their rivalry. And as Marquez continues his career, the shadow of his rivalry with Rossi will likely follow him, a reminder of the battles that shaped his legacy.
For now, the question remains: could things have been different if not for the events of 2015? Perhaps only Marquez and Rossi know the answer. But as Casey Stoner said, “It was Valentino who started it,” leaving fans to ponder the true origins of one of MotoGP’s most unforgettable feuds.
