The tension between Valentino Rossi and Marc Márquez continues to fuel MotoGP headlines, but this time, the dispute has transcended beyond the track. Gemma Pinto, Marc Márquez’s girlfriend, has intervened in the controversy and has made a public appeal to Rossi to stop calling her boyfriend “Crashquez” in interviews and media appearances. This nickname, which Rossi has used on several occasions to refer to Márquez, has generated a controversy that, apparently, has reached the point of upsetting the Spanish rider’s partner.

“Crashquez” is a nickname that Rossi has used in various interviews to refer to Marquez’s frequent crashes and falls during his career, especially during the early years of his MotoGP career. While the term has been used as a joke by some, others consider it to reflect a dismissive attitude by the veteran Italian rider towards his rival. This nickname has been used especially in the context of the historic rivalry between Rossi and Marquez, which began to take shape in the 2015 season, when the two were involved in one of the most intense rivalries in recent motorcycling history.

Gemma Pinto, in her defence of her partner, expressed her displeasure on social media and in several interviews, asking Rossi to respect Marquez and to refrain from continuing to use the nickname “Crashquez”. “It is unnecessary and it is clear that he has no respect for Marc. Enough of calling my boyfriend that way,” said Pinto, visibly upset by the continued references to the nickname. According to Pinto, these comments from Rossi are not only insulting, but also contribute to fuelling the animosity and rivalry, which are already intense in the world of MotoGP.

The incident reflects the complex relationship between Rossi and Marquez, which has been marked by moments of tension and controversy since the famous incident at the Malaysian Grand Prix in 2015, where Marquez was accused of interfering in the title fight between Rossi and Lorenzo. From that point on, the relationship between the two deteriorated, with public exchanges between the two riders becoming a recurring theme in the media.

Gemma Pinto’s intervention has surprised many in the MotoGP paddock, as it is the first time that a member of Marquez’s family has spoken out openly about Rossi’s behaviour. The Spanish rider’s girlfriend has also reminded that, despite the sporting rivalry, the riders must maintain mutual respect, as motorcycling is a high-level sport where competition and fighting on the track must not cross the boundaries of courtesy.

Although Valentino Rossi has not responded directly to Pinto’s remarks, his use of the nickname “Crashquez” has remained a topic of discussion in the media and on social media. Many motorcycling fans are divided between those who support Rossi’s freedom of expression and those who consider comments of this kind to be unnecessary and damaging to the atmosphere of respect in the sport.

The rivalry between Rossi and Marquez remains one of the big themes in MotoGP, but this episode highlights that off-track battles are also being fought, some of which involve people close to the riders. Rossi’s response to Gemma Pinto’s call could be key to easing tensions between the two, although, as has happened in the past, it seems that the animosities between the two great champions of motorcycling will not disappear anytime soon.