12 January 2010
One of the most memorable personal rivalries in the history of the premier class, motogp.com charts the intensity of the Italian duo’s volatile relationship.
Italian riders Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi brought excitement and a deep dislike of one another to the MotoGP scene in the early 2000s, as they fought in every sense for the right to be crowned World Champion.
Their rivalry began in the late 90s before they had even started to race in the same category, and by the time they competed against one another in the premier class in the 2000 season the battle lines had been drawn.
Completely different mentalities in both living and racing, Rossi and Biaggi divided fans as they rode for different teams in their individual quests to take the MotoGP crown.
MotoGP commentator Nick Harris sums up perfectly the tension that had been building between the pair, and continued to do so throughout their contests after the battle lines were drawn following an infamous incident at Suzuka in the 2001 Japanese Grand Prix.
“You knew the conflict that had been simmering, not so much on the track because they had not ridden together that much because Rossi had just arrived in the 500cc class the year before, but it transferred onto the track and you knew it was going to take off from that moment; it was brilliant!” explained Harris.
In the attached video you can watch interviews with Harris, Rossi and Biaggi and Carlo Pernat, former manager of both riders, as well as the best footage of their electrifying clashes.
Tomorrow, motogp.com relives the magnificent duel between Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo at the 2009 Gran Premi Cinzano de Catalunya.
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