In a bombshell that has set the MotoGP paddock ablaze, legendary rider Valentino Rossi has reignited his infamous rivalry with Marc Marquez with a scathing 10-word jab: “He makes Ducati lose power—cancel his deal now.” The Italian icon, a seven-time MotoGP world champion and a towering figure in the sport, didn’t hold back in his latest critique of Marquez, who joined the factory Ducati team for the 2025 season. Rossi’s provocative statement, delivered with his trademark smirk during a casual interview at a VR46 Academy event, has sparked a firestorm of debate, divided fans, and left Ducati bosses scrambling to respond.

The tension between Rossi and Marquez is the stuff of MotoGP legend. Their feud, which erupted in 2015 over a series of on-track clashes and accusations of dirty racing, has simmered for a decade. From the infamous Sepang incident—where Rossi accused Marquez of sabotaging his title bid—to their frosty exchanges in press conferences, the bad blood has never fully dissipated. Now, with Marquez donning Ducati red alongside reigning champion Pecco Bagnaia, Rossi has seized the opportunity to stir the pot, questioning whether the Spanish rider’s presence is a blessing or a curse for the Italian manufacturer.

“Ducati was untouchable last year,” Rossi said, leaning back in his chair with a glint of mischief in his eyes. “Pecco had the bike, the team, the harmony. Now? Marquez comes in, and it’s chaos. He makes Ducati lose power—not just on the bike, but in the garage. Cancel his deal before it’s too late.” The comment, dripping with mockery, suggests Rossi believes Marquez’s arrival disrupts the finely tuned dynamic that propelled Ducati to dominance in 2024. It’s a bold claim from a man who knows the team inside out, having raced for Ducati himself from 2011 to 2012—albeit with less success than he’d hoped.

Marquez’s move to Ducati was the biggest storyline of the 2025 off-season. After years with Honda, where he won six world titles but struggled with an uncompetitive bike in recent seasons, the 32-year-old Spaniard signed a lucrative deal to join Bagnaia at the factory squad. The pairing promised fireworks: two of MotoGP’s fiercest competitors on identical machinery, battling for supremacy. Early tests showed Marquez adapting quickly to the Desmosedici, posting lap times that raised eyebrows and fueled speculation of a title challenge. But Rossi, ever the provocateur, sees trouble brewing.

“He’s a shark, not a teammate,” Rossi continued, doubling down on his critique. “Pecco’s calm, focused—Marc’s the opposite. He’ll push, he’ll fight, he’ll destabilize everything. Ducati doesn’t need that.” Rossi’s words paint Marquez as a disruptive force, a rider whose aggressive style and relentless ambition could fracture the team’s unity. It’s a narrative that resonates with some fans who still view Marquez as the villain of Rossi’s 2015 title loss—a wound that, for many in the #46 camp, has never healed.

Ducati team principal Davide Tardozzi was quick to dismiss Rossi’s remarks. “Valentino’s a legend, but he’s not in the team anymore,” Tardozzi said in a press statement. “Marc and Pecco are professionals. They’ll push each other to make us stronger, not weaker.” Bagnaia, too, has downplayed any tension, saying, “Marc’s fast, I’m fast—we’ll see who’s faster on race day.” Yet Rossi’s comments have planted a seed of doubt, and with the season opener looming, every move Marquez makes will be under a microscope.

For Rossi, this isn’t just about Ducati’s performance—it’s personal. His VR46 Academy has produced stars like Bagnaia, and he’s fiercely protective of his protégé’s reign. Marquez, with his history of clashing with Rossi’s allies, represents a threat to that legacy. By calling for the cancellation of Marquez’s deal, Rossi is throwing down the gauntlet, daring Ducati to pick a side in a rivalry that transcends generations.

As the 2025 season kicks off, the spotlight won’t just be on the track—it’ll be on the Ducati garage, where two titans coexist uneasily. Will Marquez prove Rossi wrong, harnessing Ducati’s power to reclaim his throne? Or will the Doctor’s prophecy come true, with chaos reigning supreme? One thing’s certain: Rossi’s 10-word bombshell has ensured that this season will be anything but dull. Buckle up, MotoGP fans—the war of words is just the beginning.