Valentino Rossi has reignited one of MotoGP's most controversial rivalries, repeating his accusations against Marc Marquez in his new autobiography, *La Mia Storia*, released on November 10.
The Italian legend remains convinced that Marquez deliberately interfered with his championship campaign in 2015, despite having no chance of winning the title himself. Rossi believes the Spaniard was more interested in helping Jorge Lorenzo secure the championship than fighting for his own results.
The controversy reached its peak at the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang, where a fierce battle between the two riders ended with Rossi appearing to kick Marquez off his motorcycle. The incident resulted in a penalty that forced Rossi to start the Valencia season finale from the back of the grid.
Rossi subsequently accused Marquez of deliberately allowing Lorenzo to win in Valencia, describing the alleged arrangement as a 'biscotto', an Italian term referring to a prearranged deal. Lorenzo ultimately secured the championship by five points, leaving Rossi to finish runner-up.
More than a decade later, Rossi maintains that the events surrounding the final two races cost him a chance to win his tenth world title, a disappointment that continues to overshadow his otherwise remarkable career.
Source: Cycle World
Beyond revisiting his rivalry with Marquez, Rossi also discussed the performances of his VR46 Riders Academy protégés, admitting that several opportunities had slipped away during the season.
Marco Bezzecchi emerged as a title contender in 2023, but Rossi believes the Italian's numerous mistakes prevented him from making the most of his competitive Aprilia machinery. Despite showing strong pace, Bezzecchi ultimately missed out on the championship fight.
Rossi also addressed Francesco Bagnaia's difficult recent seasons with Ducati, including the foot injury he suffered in a crash during the Qatar Grand Prix Sprint. While acknowledging the seriousness of the injury, Rossi felt the situation could have been considerably worse.
Looking beyond MotoGP, Rossi also shared his admiration for Andrea Kimi Antonelli, celebrating the young Italian's achievement in becoming Formula 1 world champion. Describing Antonelli as spectacular and a fantastic person, Rossi expressed pride in seeing another Italian reach the top of motorsport.
While the 2015 MotoGP controversy remains a painful chapter in Rossi's career, his continued involvement with the VR46 Riders Academy reflects his commitment to supporting the next generation of racing talent.
