Let's Talk MotoGP: Here's What Really Happened in 2015

It's time. For a long time, I've wanted to tackle a burning issue that's celebrating its tenth anniversary: ​​Sepang 2015, a major event in the history of MotoGP and in my journey as a fan. My biggest challenge won't be to convince you, no, but to summarize my thoughts in almost 3000 words. For this reason, this analysis will be divided into two parts, one for today and one for tomorrow. So, without wasting any time, let's get started!

 

Preamble

 

I know this is a particularly sensitive topic, and This is why I am obliged to make a disclaimer.

First, what I am going to say in this article is only my own, and not the editorial staff of the site.

Secondly, I have no emotional attachment to the two protagonists we are going to study, namely, Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi. My childhood idol was Jorge Lorenzo, so I can tell you that I was more than satisfied with the outcome of this case. Perhaps that's why it fascinated me so much and why I'm able to talk about it in a completely detached manner.

Recently, and this should seem logical to any human over the age of 16, there is no point in insulting each other over a ten-year-old falling out – or insulting each other at all, for that matter. I know it's inevitable, but if you are unable to approach this subject objectively, if you insult me ​​because you don't agree with my conclusions, then you have a problem. The cure will be difficult to find, but I invite you to read On the constancy of the wise man of Seneca to begin with.

 

 

Context

 

I'm guessing that if you're reading this, you've been a fan for a while, and you're generally aware of what happened back then. However, if you're a more recent fan, I'd be happy to explain the situation further in the comments if you'd like. Feel free to ask me for details if you haven't experienced this; There is no shame in being younger, remember this sentence.

When the 2015 season began, Marc Marquez, at Honda Repsol, was the defending champion, after a monstrous campaign in 2014. Due to an excess of commitment and an impressive performance from both Yamaha riders Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, Marquez quickly found himself in difficulty in the general classification. Rossi, nine times world champion, was the most consistent, but not the fastest. Jorge Lorenzo, thanks to four consecutive victories early in the season, quickly opposed Rossi as a rival, like in the good old days.

So before we got to the Australian Grand Prix we had: Valentino Rossi, leader of the championship, but under threat from his faster teammate Jorge Lorenzo, Marc Marquez third in the championship, but capable of winning races, and Dani Pedrosa as referee, the other Honda official.

 

The most beautiful Grand Prix of all time?

 

It should be noted that Marc Marquez, dubbed (for real or fake) by Valentino Rossi at his debut in MotoGP, had already clashed several times with "The Doctor" during this exercise. He was mowed down at Termas de Rio Hondo, and tried to overtake him in a muscular manner at Assen, in the last bend.

 

 

Things were very tense before the start of the Australian GP. Lorenzo and Rossi had been rivals since 2008, and Marquez, as a free agent, was starting to seriously annoy Rossi. During that famous race at Phillip Island, Lorenzo seemed to be heading for certain victory, but Marquez, who had been battling further back for a good part of the race, caught up with him at the end and won the race. Very important detail : Rossi was beaten by Andrea Iannone for third place.

 

Legendary Showdown

 

This race was magnificent, one of the most beautiful in history. I remember vividly the comments after this race: no one had noticed anything abnormal. Then came the press conference for the Malaysian Grand Prix, which, as in 2025, follows Australia. While he still leads the championship by eleven points, Valentino Rossi shocks the world by accusing Marquez of helping Lorenzo win this title. With timesheets in hand, he wants to prove that Marc slowed him down at Phillip Island to prevent him from catching Lorenzo. In the room, no one can believe their eyes, Marc Marquez first.

I'll keep it short, but the words were hard to hear. Lorenzo, who was also present, then made a remark: "He helped me so much that he beat me!". During the race, Pedrosa took off, soon followed by Lorenzo. Behind, Marquez found himself alongside Rossi, and the two never let go. In the penultimate corner, the Italian seemed to kick Marquez, who fell. Rossi, not penalized, finished third, in the most total cacophony. The punishment came later: he had to start last in Valencia, the championship finale. During this final race, Lorenzo wins ahead of Marquez, Pedrosa finishes third, and Rossi moves up to fourth. "Por Fuera" triumphs for the fifth time in his career, to my great delight. I don't know how I could have summarized this for you more concisely.

 

Who is at fault?

 

Now that we have all the elements, roughly, let's look at the conclusions. My opinion is rather simple to summarize: In my opinion, the main culprit is Valentino Rossi, but Marc Marquez is also at fault.. Let me explain. First of all, like many people, I found this scene at the press conference absolutely pitiful (but entertainment !) unworthy of the legend of Vale'What he was saying made no sense, and Jorge Lorenzo's remark sums it up. Why would Marquez have helped Lorenzo by beating him with three races to go, when he could have easily pretended to stay second or third to annoy Rossi if he had wanted? Moreover, Rossi's compatriot Andrea Iannone didn't hesitate to overtake him.

 

 

This directly echoes a flaw of Valentino Rossi. The latter has never been very good under pressure., as was the case in 2006, during the final in Valencia against Nicky Hayden. All champions have flaws, and this one cost him dearly. The words used towards Marc Marquez could only anger the Spaniard, compared to a rider even less honest than Max Biaggi. I don't know if a kick was actually given, because many riders say so, and others refute this thesis. In any case, Rossi certainly pushed aside. For me, this championship was lost in a press conference, well before this historic collision and Marc Marquez's fall. Holding an eleven-point advantage over two races against Lorenzo was close, but I think Rossi could have done it fairly. He shot himself in the foot, and lost this championship all by himself, with his pride. In the same vein, It seems unthinkable to me that Marc Marquez helped Jorge Lorenzo at Phillip Island., but also in Valencia, where the official Yamaha was on top.

 

Marquez's Wrongs

 

It's not all black and white. Marc Marquez interfered in this title fight at a very specific moment. You see, at the start of the Malaysian Grand Prix, Marquez was overtaken by Lorenzo, as if nothing had happened. He didn't even try to retaliate in the following sequence. In my opinion, he was waiting for Valentino Rossi to harass him, because he couldn't stand his comments in the press conference. And, indeed, we saw him circling around the number 46, he wouldn't let go, causing "The Doctor" to be incomprehensible. In principle, this is incorrect, but a great champion like Rossi should never have started this controversy. I see this as a backlash: you can't utter such slander without expecting a reaction from the person concerned.If Lorenzo had had a better start, I'm sure Marquez would have had the same strategy. But the problem is that, in my opinion, he let Lorenzo pass to get level with Rossi and that interfered, by definition, in the title race.

 

Conclusion

 

Jorge Lorenzo won a well-deserved championship, because he was the best rider this season, by quite a margin. Valentino Rossi can only blame himself, because he put a stick (or even a log) in his front rim during this press conference, which doesn't help when riding, you'll agree. Unfortunately, the race management did not do its job., because if the experts could confirm that a kick had indeed been given, he should have been black-flagged and left normally for Valencia. Afterwards, the situation had never been so tense in history, so I can understand their hesitation, but they should have made a decision. Their passivity ultimately gives Rossi the upper hand, and that is unfair. Marquez, on the other hand, reacted like a human, and for that reason, I can't blame him.

The second part, which focuses on "after 2015," is finally out! Click here to find it. I'm curious to hear your opinion, so let me know in the comments!

 

 

Cover photo: MotoGP