P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Marc Marquez said he was absent from Valentino Rossi’s rival list “because we never fought for a championship” ahead of Mandalika MotoGP.
Marc Marquez shrugged off not being mentioned among Valentino Rossi’s biggest MotoGP rivals, with Rossi instead naming Stoner, Lorenzo, Biaggi, and Pedrosa as his top opponents. Despite their rivalry, Rossi and Lorenzo shared a special bond during their time as teammates. Marquez and Rossi have been distant since their fallout in 2015, prompting Marquez’s absence from Rossi’s list. Marquez, having matched Rossi’s seven titles, explained his exclusion by pointing out they never competed for a championship. Marquez, already planning for 2026, aims to experiment with setups and enjoy his victories without additional pressure. Additionally, Bagnaia’s impressive performance at Misano and Motegi alongside Marquez’s title success was a noteworthy highlight.
