Marc Marquez says he wants to “make peace” with long-time MotoGP rival Valentino Rossi, though the latter refused a handshake gesture in an awkward exchange in the Misano pre-event press coneference.
Marquez and Rossi have been at the centre of numerous controversial moments in recent years, including the infamous 'Sepang Clash' of 2015, when the pair collided after a heated race born out of accusations from Rossi that Marquez tried to sabotage his title challenge at Phillip Island.
The pair's feud reignited in Argentina this year when Marquez made late contact with Rossi, forcing the Italian to crash – an incident the Yamaha rider said Marquez had “destroyed” MotoGP by making.
Tensions have simmered since, and Marquez expressed in an interview with Sky Sports last week his desire to “make peace” with the Italian.
“I would like to make peace with him, I have no problem with Valentino,” he said.
“In Argentina everything was quieter. I made a mistake, and with it came back luck with Rossi. I also tried to apologise.”
When asked in the pre-San Marino Grand Prix press conference on Thursday, Rossi branded the comments as “strange” as he felt there was no problems between the pair – though refused the offer of a handshake from Marquez.
“Yeah, I heard this but I don't know, but it sounds a bit strange because in reality we don't have any problem, me and Marc,” Rossi said.
“So, I don't know we have to make peace, for me is okay. We don't need to shake hands, there is no problem.”
Marquez felt it was “nice” Rossi saw no issues between the pair, but has vowed to race against him the “same” as he has done.
“No, for me it's nice, and of course if it's no problem, it's no problem for me to shake hands.
“But it's like this. What can I say, but no problem, I race the same.”
