MotoGP: Marquez: 'Track conditions' cause of Rossi clash

Marc Marquez has defended his riding during today’s Argentinian Grand Prix after Valentino Rossi hit out at the Spaniard after the duo came together on track in the closing stages of the race.

Rossi slammed Marquez as ‘dangerous’ and accused him of ‘destroying the sport’ after the Spaniard, who was fighting through the pack after receiving a ride through penalty earlier in the race, went in to the penultimate turn too hot and collided with Rossi’s Movistar Yamaha, forcing him off the track and ultimately off his bike.

However, while Marquez has held his hands up for several mistakes during the race – including the incident with Aleix Espargaro that saw the six-time world champion handed a one-place penalty from race direction – he says the incident with Rossi was actually caused by track conditions.

“I did not make anything crazy with Valentino,” he explained. “You need to understand the track condition. The line was dry but I hit a wet patch and locked the front, released the brake and there was contact. When I saw he had crashed I tried to say sorry, but if you check Zarco with Dani, Petrucci with Aleix – today was difficult. What happened with Valentino was a mistake caused by track conditions.” 

For more on what Rossi, Marquez and winner Cal Crutchlow had to say and a full analysis of the dramatic Argentinian Grand Prix, pick up Wednesday’s MCN.