Valentino Rossi cheers as Bagnaia crushes Marquez in fierce Jerez Showdown – “Someone like Marc Márquez tends to eat your head”

The legendary Valentino Rossi could not hide his excitement at the Circuito de Jerez Ángel Nieto, where the drama of MotoGP unfolded in spectacular fashion. Over the weekend, Rossi, who has now retired from racing, invested deeply in the fortunes of his VR46 Academy riders, especially on a particularly challenging Saturday.

Yet Sunday brought a wave of triumph that saw Rossi celebrate, especially the performance of Pecco Bagnaia, who took his second win of the season in stunning fashion. Bagnaia faced stiff competition from Marc Márquez, who started cautiously but stepped up his aggression, challenging Bagnaia in a tense and risky duel that left its mark – literally, as Márquez eventually got the imprint of Bagnaia’s front tire on his suit.

Located near the Nieto-Peluqui section of the circuit, Rossi witnessed first-hand the fierce battle between his protégé and his greatest rival. Rossi expressed his immense joy and satisfaction in an interview with Sky Sport, noting Bagnaia’s incredible performance from the start. “He was the strongest from the first lap,” Rossi noted. He praised Bagnaia for his conviction and impeccable execution throughout the race: “He never gave up, even though Martin had fallen. He made it clear to Máquez that overtaking him would be a tough challenge.” Rossi’s admiration for Bagnaia was evident as he discussed the critical defensive maneuvers that defined the final laps of the race.

Bagnaia recognized Márquez as a title contender and matched all of Márquez’s progress, a strategy that Rossi believes is crucial. ‘Someone like Marc will devour you if he feels any weakness. But Pecco executed the last three laps perfectly, which proves that he is the best Ducati rider there is,” says Rossi proudly. Rossi’s high praise underlines Bagnaia’s skill and strategic insight, qualities that were on full display in his intense conversations with Márquez.

With just three laps to go, the succession of daring overtakes between the two was a masterclass in racing, with Bagnaia ultimately emerging victorious – a moment Rossi attributed to Bagnaia’s quick and decisive responses to Márquez’s challenges. Rossi also expressed his joy for Bez, another rider from his team, who secured his first podium of the season, capping off a challenging year.

Rossi’s mentorship continues to influence the next generation of racers, evidenced by their resilience and success on the track. As the MotoGP season progresses, Rossi’s role as mentor and his keen insights into the dynamics of racing add an enriching layer to the race’s story. sport, celebrating both the victories and the intense rivalry that characterize MotoGP.