Valentino Rossi kept swinging after the last MotoGP race of the season. At a packed post-race briefing to a seemingly partisan crowd, the multiple world champion displayed outward good humour and ever-active charm as he continued to accuse Márquez of being "Lorenzo’s bodyguard" and protecting the Yamaha rider rather than trying to pass him. Key people in the paddock were asked about their thoughts on Rossi’s accusations – here’s what they had to say...
Lin Jarvis (Yamaha Crew Chief)
"The last 10 days have been a little bit tough. It’s never easy to manage any champion, any single champion, and its even more difficult to manage two. We’re very happy to be here and I congratulate Jorge on achieving this third Moto GP championship with us. I listened to the explanations of Marc and Dani and Jorge on the race and I take their explanations at face value and I have no reason to go against that."
Shuhei Nakamoto (HRC)
"Absolutely there is no doubt Marc was pushing to win the race today. Our target was to try and beat Jorge with a 1-2 Honda finish with Marc and Dani. There was no meaning to do anything else, I don’t understand why Valentino thinks Marc was helping Jorge."
Jeremy Burgess (Rossi’s Former Crew Chief)
"I always thought this year would be very interesting. In the second half of last season Vale outscored everyone else so the key this year was for him to bring that momentum into all 18 rounds. The plan was working well except Lorenzo was the one who didn’t give up. Sadly things appeared to start unravelling in Valentino’s mind at Phillip Island. I’m still a huge Rossi fan but I wonder if he can put another season together like this. I’d love to think he could as he just fell five points short of his 10th title."
Nicky Hayden (2006 MotoGP Champion)
"It’s a shame only one guy gets to take home the title, both Lorenzo and Rossi have done fantastic seasons. I know how much this title would have meant to Rossi but it doesn’t always work like that. But Jorge’s ability to lead every lap and do those fast laps I can tell you that is really impressive, I know how hard it is to have the mental concentration and fitness to do that."
Mark Webber (Former F1 Driver)
"Today there were three Hondas in the race, Lorenzo and then the two Hondas behind. There was no pressure from behind at all, Marc did the whole race and when Dani arrived Márquez raced, it was frustrating to watch."
John McGuinness (IOM TT Legend)
"You can’t take anything away from Lorenzo to win from pole and leading every lap and it is a pity he is getting kicking for winning, he did nothing wrong. The fairytale ending would have been Rossi winning the championship at 36 and it was frustrating to see him getting the rear of grid start and running around in fourth and unable to make a race of it."
Martin Brundle (F1 Driver)
"I’m a big MotoGP fan and I came here to Valencia hoping to see Valentino Rossi win a 10th championship. But Lorenzo won it in style and you cannot take anything away from him, leading every lap from pole after a great qualifying. I know a lot of people will question whether Marc was trying hard enough or not and if Pedrosa could have made his move stick on Márquez maybe he had a better chance of a run at Lorenzo."
