All eyes were focussed on the press room at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar today. It marked the first public meeting of Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez since the now-infamous Sepang clash.
Both Rossi and Marquez looked relaxed as riders and team personnel gathered outside the press room. Though there was a noticeable distance between the pair while others exchanged pleasantries.
The rivals took their seats without so much exchanging glances, while Andrea Iannone, Dani Pedrosa and Maverick Vinales lined up alongside them. Arriving fashionably late was reigning champion Jorge Lorenzo, who would sit between Rossi and Marquez without acknowledging anyone.
It’s a fascinating dynamic to start a season with. There have been bitter rivalries in MotoGP in the past, not least Rossi vs Biaggi, Rossi vs Gibernau and Rossi vs Stoner. But never before has there been a three-way tussle, nor has it played out quite so publicly or with quite so much vitriol.
For now, all riders are focussed on one thing only, and that’s the 2016 title.
Speaking about the bike changes for 2016, Jorge Lorenzo said: “For the riders there is a really big difference. Michelin offer a completely different feeling on the bike. The less sophisticated electronics are much more difficult to ride especially on the throttle.”
Nevertheless Lorenzo goes into the season opener full of confidence. He said, “The position has been better than we expected. In the three tests we got an impressive feeling and lap times. But we are a little bit better than we were last year. For the moment we must take advantage of our situation and start in the best way.”
For Qatar, Lorenzo is looking for a stronger start to the season, after finishing fourth in 2015 when the lining of his helmet slipped obscuring his vision.
At 37, Valentino Rossi’s hunger to win shows no sign of abating. He said: “It looks like this year will be very interesting [with the rule changes]. During the winter we saw a lot of riders very close in performance, more so than last year.”
Speaking of pre-season testing he said: “I’m satisfied about the tests. We were worried about our bike with the Michelin tyres. [In the Valencia test] we had a lot of problems, but the tyres have improved a lot and our guys in Japan worked well to find the right balance. In the end if you take the results from each test, our bike was very competitive. I feel good on the bike, the bike is good to ride, is very funny.”
Rossi, however, is realistic about the weekend ahead. “From tomorrow everything will change. Tests are important but the race weekend is different. All the riders can do better, can give a little bit more. We have to understand in the normal race weekend where we are.”
Marc Marquez was quick to acknowledge difficult pre-season testing. He said: “This year has not been easy pre-season. But we improve and keep a constant pace and a progressive line which is most important. In Qatar we made a huge step and were closer [to our rivals]. This is one of the worst tracks for us, but the motivation and the mission of the race always can [push us] and we will try to find a good base.”
“The test was amazing in how close the times were. Everyone seems to have a good pace and a good set up. When we get to Austin and Argentina we will see more the difference and where everyone is.”
Dani Pedrosa is looking to carry the strong form he showed in the final races of 2015 into the new season. He said: “Pre-season went OK physically. We did a lot of training and we are prepared. For the technical part we are a little bit more in trouble compared to last year but we are closing the gap. We are improving and now it’s race weekend which is quite different to testing. You focus more on going fast and not just checking things on the bike.”
He said of the new Michelins: “The tyres are quite a big thing. They’ve changed a lot since we started testing last year. But what we have felt most was the electronics. We are still struggling a little bit there so we need to make a bigger step in that particular point.”
After a tough start to 2015 with arm pump issues, Pedrosa is looking forward to a stronger opening to his 2016 campaign. “It’s a big thing to be fit now compared to last year and that is super important especially for the head and motivation. Now we have different issues, we are a little behind on the technical part but we hope to improve and catch up. You need to be super focused and that is what we are going to do this weekend.”
Andrea Iannone is facing the challenge of riding an entirely new bike as well as all the technical changes. He said: “Everything has changed, the tyres, electronic and also the bike for me changed so I’m really happy. The feel with the tyres from the beginning for me is really good. I’m happy to ride with Michelin. Also with the electronic from the beginning I have a really good feeling. In Sepang and Phillip Island I have a few problems but we improved step by step and now I am very happy.”
Many times Iannone rode with injuries in 2015. He says going forward: “The injuries are an old story for me, fortunately. I am very happy about the shoulder. During the winter I worked a lot with my personal trainer. I have recovered well and I am very happy.”
Having scored several podium finishes in 2015, what of that elusive Ducati victory? “For sure is really strong for us, but it’s the same for everybody. Dani, Jorge, Vale, Marc and Maverick, every rider in MotoGP is very strong. But for sure we wan to improve on 2015 and I want to win my first race in MotoGP class. For sure this year that is my objective, and for sure I try my best from the first race.”
One name that has impressed throughout winter testing has been Maverick Vinales. He said: “It was an incredible step for us. It was very important for us, the experience that we gained last year. This year we could work much better, much more focussed and more calmly. The bike improved, engine improved, we get the seamless [gearbox]. Also the electronics make everything more similar so for us it’s better. With the tyres we have a good feeling, I feel good, I feel like I can be strong on the Michelins. But that was the test and now it’s the race weekend. We feel motivated, calm and we are hungry to start.”
Vinales had an incredibly impressive rookie season which he hopes to build on in 2016. “I dream to fight with the top riders but I need to be realistic. I need to think if my bike is at the level to get on the podium or if I am at that level. We demonstrated in the tests that we are competitive, but still I think we have a lot of work to do.”
Rossi revealed that the relationship he had forged with former MotoGP winner Luca Cadalora during the winter break would continue through the season. He said: “It’s always interesting to have a former rider like Luca with a lot of experience and a good vision around the track. During testing we found something interesting so we will continue together through the season.”
Addressing the elephant in the room, Rossi and Marquez were asked whether their rivalry would resemble that of Giacomo Agostini and Phil Read where there were no on-track clashes, or Senna and Prost where there were many.
Rossi said: “The rivalry is always something extra for the sport but I think nothing in particular or special will happen. I think on the track everybody will give the maximum to arrive in front but without something more special.”
Marquez said: “Like we saw in the past in MotoGP sometimes you try to beat your opponent. But in the end I have 20 opponents in MotoGP and I must fight against each one to try to win the championship. That is my target.”
It could well be that the conflict is of much bigger concern to the media than it is the riders. But one thing is certain: a rivalry has been forged which sets up the 2016 MotoGP championship as the greatest in the sport’s history.
