Alex Marquez angrily fires back at Francesco Bagnaia’s accusation that he crashed into him on purpose

 

Alex Marquez has firmly rejected Francesco Bagnaia’s accusation that he deliberately caused their race-ending collision during the MotoGP Aragon Grand Prix. The incident occurred with six laps remaining in the race, as Marquez ran wide at Turn 12 while battling for third position. Bagnaia, attempting to pass on the outside, collided with Marquez, resulting in both riders being thrown into the gravel trap.

Bagnaia, riding for the Ducati factory team, was visibly frustrated after the incident, accusing Marquez of reckless behavior. However, Marquez, who races for Gresini Ducati, was quick to push back against these claims, stating that he had no knowledge of Bagnaia’s position on the outside at the time of the crash.

Marquez’s Response to Bagnaia’s Claims

Speaking to the media after the race, Marquez made it clear that he disagreed with Bagnaia’s assessment of the crash.

“Nothing is going to change what happened,” Marquez said. “If anyone could have avoided the contact, it was him. He knew I was there, but I didn’t know he was on the outside.”

Marquez added that if Bagnaia had given a bit more space between their bikes, the crash could have been avoided. “The only thing I told Race Direction is that if he had not traced to the inside and left a little more room, nothing would have happened,” he explained.

### Social Media Statement

Marquez later took to social media to further clarify his stance, emphasizing that intentional crashes are not part of his approach to racing. In his statement, Marquez wrote, “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.”

Marquez also noted that he had a private discussion with Bagnaia following the race, stating that from his perspective, the issue was resolved. “The most important thing is the clarification I had yesterday with Pecco, and from my side, the problem is solved.”

### Looking Ahead to Misano

Despite the tension between the two riders, Marquez is now focused on recovering and preparing for the next round at the Misano World Circuit. “Now it’s time to get back in shape and arrive at 100 percent in Misano,” Marquez said, shifting his focus from the controversy in Aragon to the upcoming race.

The clash has sparked significant debate among fans and analysts, with some agreeing with Bagnaia’s assessment and others defending Marquez’s actions as part of the competitive nature of MotoGP. Regardless, the incident highlights the high-stakes environment of the sport, where split-second decisions can lead to dramatic consequences.

As the championship battle heats up, both Marquez and Bagnaia will be eager to move on from this incident and continue their campaigns. Misano promises to be another intense showdown, with both riders likely looking to prove a point on the track.