---
title: "‘Crazy’ Iannone denied Rossi chance to fight with Marquez"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/10/22/crazy-iannone-denied-rossi-chance-to-fight-with-marquez/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lewis Duncan"
section: "MotoGP News"
published: "2017-10-22T15:07:45Z"
modified: "2017-10-22T15:07:45Z"
---

# ‘Crazy’ Iannone denied Rossi chance to fight with Marquez

Valentino Rossi says he was stopped from chasing down eventual Australian MotoGP race winner Marc Marquez because of a late duel with a ‘crazy’ Andrea Iannone.

Rossi felt he did not have the pace to fight at the front on Sunday after qualifying seventh, and gambled on a set-up he was unable to try due to morning warm-up being hit by wet weather.

![Robert Cianflone/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/10/864877072.jpg)

However, the Italian remained a constant challenger for the lead in a multi-rider scrap for the victory.

As the final laps approached, Rossi reckons he could have mounted an assault on Marquez’s lead, but was held up when Suzuki’s Iannone locked horns with his compatriot.

“I think in the end I had the potential to stay with Marquez to the end, because I was fast,” said Rossi, who eventually finished second – his first podium since breaking his right leg.

“But, when one moment I think I’m in the perfect position, Iannone arrive in the hairpin like crazy and Marquez go.

“But I think it was difficult to win, but I’m so happy because I come from a difficult period because I come from the broken leg, and also important for Yamaha and all our team.”

![Robert Cianflone/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/10/864876838.jpg)

Rossi was involved in several close moments with riders during the 27-lap battle, including contact with Marquez at the Southern Loop on lap 20.

The Italian agrees the aggression during the race was greater than normal, especially with several young riders involved in the scrap for the podium, but accepts this as normal and enjoyed it.

“The level of aggression and contact during the race is raised a lot, especially when young riders arrive from Moto2,” he said.

“Also Zarco is very, very aggressive. This is the game, if you wanna play it’s like this. It’s a bit more dangerous, but this is the way. If not, you stay at home.

“I enjoy a lot, it was a great, great race, and starting from the beginning with (Jack) Miller, with (Aleix) Espargaro like this, I had a good pace.

“But then I have to fight, especially with Zarco, and then arrive Iannone and I think (they are) the two worst riders for fighting (against).

“I remember a hard fight with Iannone in 2015 and he beat me on the last lap, so I tried the maximum, also with Zarco like this, also with Marquez.”