The fierce rivalry between Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi, which ignited the most dramatic feud in MotoGP history, is often traced back to a single day in 2014—when Marquez visited Rossi’s ranch in Tavullia. Now, a fresh rumour has reignited discussion around that pivotal moment, with former rider Scott Redding offering his take on what may have triggered the fallout.
Redding recently shared on the Motorsport Republica podcast that the tensions began on the dirt track where Rossi frequently trains with his VR46 Academy riders. According to him, Rossi was known to have a variety of bikes set up for different conditions, showing the level of dedication and detail he put into the ranch. However, it was Marquez’s unexpected approach that allegedly disrupted the dynamic. Turning up with a full HRC factory truck and his personal crew, Marquez’s arrival was seen by some as overkill—and by Rossi, as a sign of disrespect. “It upset Valentino because it disrespected the reason for being there,” Redding claimed, suggesting that it went against the relaxed, brotherhood-like spirit Rossi had created.
This moment, as Redding puts it, was the beginning of a slow-burning conflict: “That was the start of the tic, tac, tic, tac… it kept boiling more and more. But Marc won’t give an inch.” It painted a picture of two riders, each fiercely competitive in his own right, with very different philosophies clashing in an environment that was supposed to be informal and friendly. And in true Marquez fashion, Redding added, “He wouldn’t even think about it, he’d commit to the cause.”
Supercross legend Chad Reed had also spoken about that infamous day in the past, recalling how the post-Misano training session was no casual ride. With Marquez still in his crashed leathers and Rossi allegedly hungover, the two legends were “literally ready to die to set the fastest lap.” Their burning desire to outdo one another turned a friendly practice into an all-out warzone, with pride and ego on the line.
The rivalry hasn’t just lingered—it has defined the modern MotoGP era. Marquez is still chasing Rossi’s legacy, particularly his record of nine world championships. Ironically, he’s now teamed up with Pecco Bagnaia, the first MotoGP champion to graduate from Rossi’s VR46 academy, adding another layer of tension to the story.
Redding also offered perspective on how seriously dirt track riding is taken in Spain. Recalling a motocross practice session he once joined, he noted that what was supposed to be a basic setup quickly turned out to be far more advanced. “I turned up and they had Ohlins suspensions on front and rear, and traction control! I thought: ‘what the f***!’” he said, highlighting just how far riders will go to find performance gains, even in training.
Recently, Marquez has been spotted back on the dirt, riding a Honda CRF450R—likely the last Honda machinery he’ll be seen on as Ducati prepares to enter the motocross scene with their new Desmo450 MX. Given Marquez’s relentless pursuit of any edge in performance, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him trying Ducati’s MX weapon soon.
For Marquez, dirt track riding isn’t just recreation. It’s his lab, where he pushes the boundaries of bike control and sharpens techniques that could win him races—and maybe one day, help him equal or surpass Rossi’s championship tally.
