Rossi and Marquez recount their desert duels

Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez have dominated attention at the last two Qatar Grand Prix. Their battles for second in 2013 and for the victory twelve months ago have lit up the races and provided some of the most exciting wheel to wheel battles of the last number of seasons.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s season opener in Losail both riders commented on their on track battles:

“The first year, the battle with Marc was very funny, but also with Jorge, but Jorge was in front,” smiled Rossi. “So it was between me and Marc, but I was able to beat him, and we fight for second place. Last year, unfortunately Marc beat me when we fight for first place. But was a very fun race, I enjoy a lot. I like it very much. Also because last year, it was quite strange, because all the factory riders didn’t come here for the test, so also have other riders very strong in the race, so have a big group of MotoGP all together, and I think that this is what everybody want from the Sunday race.”

Marquez has never been a rider to shy away from a fight and the scraps with Rossi have always been something that the four times world champion has relished:

“The motivation is really really high, and everyone want to start the season in a good way,” said Marquez. “For the last two years I have fought with Valentino. We will see this year if we fight again. But normally the race is really good, I don’t know if it’s the circuit or something, or the first race, but this year it will be quite similar. Because already we did a test here, like I said, will be really close. It will be a great show.