Alex Marquez has hit back at Francesco Bagnaia’s accusation that he crashed into him on purpose during their race-ending incident in the MotoGP Aragon Grand Prix.
Marquez running wide at Turn 12 with six laps remaining in last weekend’s race main, gave Bagnaia the impetus to swoop around the outside in the contest over third.
However, Marquez aboard the Gresini Ducati GP22 collided with Bagnaia’s works machine, resulting in his bike trapping his rival as the pair ended up in the gravel trap.
When asked about the clash post-race, Marquez disagreed with Bagnaia’s words, stating he couldn’t see the Italian when he attempted to make a move to the outside.
“Nothing is going to change what happened,” said Marquez. “If anyone could avoid contact it was him, who knew I was there.
“I had no knowledge that [Bagnaia] was on the outside.
“The only thing I told the Race Direction members is that, if he had left a little more space between us and had not traced to the inside, nothing would have happened.”
Marquez later posted a statement on his social media, stating: “I would never deliberately crash with another rider, and I will never accept being accused of doing so.
“This is something that is not part of my DNA and not part of the DNA of our sport.
“The most important thing is the clarification I had yesterday with Pecco and from my side the problem is solved. Now it’s time to get back in shape and arrive at 100 per cent in Misano.”
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