‘HE IS A CHEATER!’ Valentino Rossi accused Marc Marquez of using an illegal engine at the Czech GP and asked the FIM to organize an urgent investigation. Immediately, the reaction from the FIM president left many fans surprised !!
In a shocking turn of events at the 2025 Czech Grand Prix in Brno, MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi has reignited his long-standing feud with Marc Marquez by accusing the Spaniard of using an illegal engine to secure his dominant victory. The nine-time world champion, now retired from racing but actively involved as the owner of the VR46 Ducati satellite team, made the explosive claim in a post-race interview, demanding an immediate investigation by the International Motorcycling Federation (FIM). The accusation has sent shockwaves through the MotoGP paddock, with fans and insiders alike reeling from the renewed tension between the two icons. Even more surprising was the swift and unexpected response from FIM President Jorge Viegas, which has left the motorsport community buzzing with speculation.
The controversy erupted shortly after Marquez clinched his 70th MotoGP win at Brno, a race where he showcased a commanding performance, leading from start to finish and breaking the lap record in wet conditions. His victory marked his fifth consecutive Grand Prix win, a feat that solidified his position as the championship leader and a favorite for the 2025 title. However, Rossi, whose VR46 team fields riders competing directly against Marquez, was quick to question the legitimacy of the Spaniard’s success. Citing what he called “irrefutable evidence” of an illegal engine modification, Rossi claimed that Marquez’s Ducati Lenovo Team had violated technical regulations to gain an unfair advantage. “He is a cheater!” Rossi declared passionately to the press. “The performance we saw today is not normal. The FIM must investigate this immediately to ensure fairness in our sport.”
The accusation is particularly striking given the history between Rossi and Marquez, whose rivalry is one of the most infamous in MotoGP history. Their feud dates back to the contentious 2015 season, when Rossi accused Marquez of deliberately interfering in his championship battle with Jorge Lorenzo, culminating in the notorious Sepang Clash. That incident saw Rossi penalized for causing Marquez to crash, effectively ending his hopes of a tenth world title. Since then, the relationship between the two has remained frosty, with Rossi repeatedly criticizing Marquez’s aggressive riding style and, more recently, his rapid adaptation to the Ducati machine. The latest allegation of cheating has added fuel to an already smoldering rivalry, with Rossi’s comments suggesting that he believes Marquez’s current success is not entirely above board.
Marquez, for his part, has remained characteristically composed in the face of Rossi’s accusations. Speaking to reporters after the race, the eight-time world champion dismissed the claims as baseless, emphasizing his focus on racing rather than engaging in off-track disputes. “I don’t have time for this,” Marquez said. “My job is to ride the bike, and I trust my team to follow the rules. If there’s an investigation, we have nothing to hide.” His response echoes his approach to past controversies, where he has often chosen to let his on-track performance speak for itself. Marquez’s recent dominance, particularly since switching to the factory Ducati team in 2025, has been remarkable, with the Spaniard leveraging the Desmosedici’s superior technology to reclaim his place at the top of the sport.
The most surprising development, however, came from FIM President Jorge Viegas, whose response caught many off guard. Rather than committing to an immediate investigation, Viegas issued a statement urging all parties to maintain respect and avoid escalating tensions. “MotoGP thrives on passion and competition, but we must uphold the integrity of the sport,” Viegas said. “We will review all claims in due course, but I ask for calm and professionalism from everyone involved.” His reluctance to launch an urgent probe, as Rossi demanded, has stunned fans, many of whom expected a more decisive stance given the severity of the accusation. Social media platforms, particularly X, have exploded with reactions, with some fans supporting Rossi’s call for transparency and others accusing him of sour grapes, unable to accept Marquez’s resurgence.
The FIM’s technical regulations are stringent, with engines subject to rigorous inspections to ensure compliance. Any illegal modification, such as an unauthorized ECU or power output tweak, would constitute a serious breach, potentially leading to disqualification or penalties. However, no concrete evidence has yet been made public to substantiate Rossi’s claims, leading some to speculate that his accusations may stem from personal animosity rather than hard proof. The involvement of Rossi’s protege, Pecco Bagnaia, who finished seventh at Brno, adds another layer of complexity, as tensions between the VR46 camp and Marquez have been simmering throughout the season.
As the MotoGP circus moves to the next round, the fallout from Rossi’s accusations and the FIM’s response will undoubtedly dominate headlines. For Marquez, the focus remains on chasing a seventh MotoGP title, which would equal Rossi’s premier class record. For Rossi, the fight appears to be as much about legacy as it is about fairness. Whether the FIM will act on Rossi’s demands remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the saga between these two titans of MotoGP is far from over, and the sport is all the richer—and more dramatic—for it.
