Ducati boss issues first warning to Valentino Rossi after his surprising statement on Marc Márquez’s illegality
In the latest episode of “MotoGP Drama Hour,” Ducati boss Gigi Dall’Igna reportedly issued a stern warning to none other than nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi. Why, you ask? Well Rossi, who is now retired but apparently still enjoys making waves, accused Marc Márquez of “illegal movements” on the track in a statement that has caused a stir in the MotoGP world, or at least through his Twitter hashtags.
Rossi’s comments, mixed with his trademark flair for controversy, came during a recent interview in which he claimed that Marquez’s “aggressive riding” was a cover for something more sinister. “Some of his overtaking is not legal… Maybe his bike is not legal either,” Rossi joked, leaving fans to speculate whether he was serious or simply seeking headlines. (Spoiler: Probably both.)
Naturally, Ducati’s brass were not amused. Gigi Dall’Igna, who seems to juggle racebike design and MotoGP gossip management with equal zeal, was quick to respond to Rossi’s comments. “Valentino has to respect the sport and its current riders,” Dall’Igna said, presumably rolling his eyes enough to generate downforce.
He added: “At Ducati we focus on innovation and fair play. If Rossi wants to talk about “illegal”, he should first go back to the highlights of his career. “We all remember Sepang 2015.”
Of course, this warning is unlikely to deter Rossi, who has carved out a second career as an unofficial ambassador for MotoGP. His loyal fan base, also known as the “Yellow Army,” has already flooded social media with conspiracy theories and memes, with some arguing that Márquez’s bike should have a stealth mode. Others wonder if Rossi is simply bored in retirement and looking for a hobby (maybe knitting?).
Meanwhile, Márquez himself has remained silent on the matter, although sources close to him say he is “focused on next season” and “not interested in playing Rossi’s mind games.” Translation: You’re saving your energy for when you inevitably hear the boos at the next GP.
For now, it looks like MotoGP fans have a lot of drama to digest during the offseason. As for Rossi, well, it looks like the Doctor is still making house calls, whether he likes the sport or not.
Stay tuned for the next episode of the MotoGP soap opera, because if there’s one thing this sport does better than racing, it’s gossip.
