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Home Moto GP Valentino Rossi vs Max Biaggi – MotoGP’s Legendary Rivalry”

Valentino Rossi vs Max Biaggi – MotoGP’s Legendary Rivalry”

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Valentino Rossi vs Max Biaggi – MotoGP’s Legendary Rivalry”

In the early 2000s, there was one era-defining rivalry still fondly remembered by motorsport fans. Two remarkable talents produced by a single country, “The Doctor” and “Mad Max”, gave us nail-biting action on-and-off track. From inflammatory remarks to the media to flashing the middle finger while racing, what Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi gave fans can only be summed up in one word: drama. Indeed, it was this drama that irrevocably divided Italy’s motorsport fan base but still united them in their desire to watch the rivals go head-to- head each week. Let’s dive into MotoGP’s most famous rivalry.

How it began…

The rivalry began long before they ever stepped on track together. Biaggi, 8 years older than Rossi, was already a revered racer when Rossi emerged on the scene. Biaggi bagged his 4th title in the 250cc category in 1997. In the distance, fans and media could see a newer star emerge: Rossi had captured his first title in the 125cc category. It was evident Rossi would soon come for Biaggi. After a race in 1997 where both countrymen put their best foot forward, Biaggi winning in the 250cc category and Rossi in the 125cc, a journalist asked Rossi if he dreamt of being the Biaggi of the 125cc category. Rossi promptly replied that Biaggi should dream of being the Rossi of the 250cc category.

What could have been taken as a light-hearted, cheeky remark from a newcomer wasinterpreted as an invitation to fight by Biaggi. Biaggi approached Rossi in a restaurant at the next race and said, “Before talking about me, you should wash your mouth out.” This incident occurred before a group of journalists who certainly did not let it slide.

Notable Incidents

Things were brewing off-track till then, but the two clashed elbows as soon as they racedtogether. In the first round of 2001 at Suzuka, both drivers had the victory in sight and would do anything to have it. They produced thrilling wheel-to-wheel action, which was mostly clean until it wasn’t. Rossi was chasing down Biaggi, who had the advantage to dictate Rossi’s positioning on track. He pushed Rossi wider till he was at the edge and then threw out his arm, forcing Rossi onto the dirt. Biaggi later defended his actions, saying that he threw out his arm to prevent a crash since Rossi came at him quickly. However, the damage was done, and the message was clear.

On the following lap, Rossi hunted down Biaggi, overtook him and then flashed his middle finger to Biaggi during the race, in front of fans and broadcasted on television. Rossi thenwent on to win the race at his team’s home. Sweet, sweet victory! Later that year, both drivers finished on the podium at the Catalan GP. But matters boiled over again right before they stepped out for the ceremony. The pair engaged in a physical altercation, which later involved other members of their teams. While this incident was not broadcast on television, and neither driver openly admitted to the fistfight, Biaggi appeared in the post-race press conference with scratches on his face, which he credited to a “mosquito bite”.

After this incident, teams were forced to step in. Biaggi and Rossi were forced to reconcilebefore journalists and the paddock crowds. However, the rivalry was far from over. The animosity simply moved away from the spotlight. Shockingly, neither driver was penalised for the juvenile fistfight. Indeed, such was their popularity that any denial of racing action would be a significant blow to the sport and would not be accepted by fans. The two continued to face each other, but the rivalry soon fizzled out in terms of results.Rossi went on to etch his name in the record books, continually besting Biaggi in consequent Championships. Meanwhile, Biaggi struggled with consistent results, albeit he made a name for himself in the Superbike series.

Looking back…

The rivalry has stood the test of time. No pair has been quite this controversial, fiery andbrazen in disapproving of each other. However, matters have significantly cooled down when it comes to the drivers. Biaggi now looks back with fond memories of his time with Rossi. In an Instagram post from April 2023, Biaggi appreciated that the rivalry had shaped the motorsport scene. He acknowledged that they certainly hated each other back then, a fact that they did not bother hiding, but that he missed Rossi and his racing.

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