Giacomo Agostini sheds light on his support for Marc Marquez

Giacomo Agostini spoke to La Repubblica: “Marc Marquez is the sportiest ‘baddest’ rider I have ever seen. And today, even more so, because he has suffered so much in recent years. He is like a wounded animal”.

“As a kid he beat Valentino with the recklessness of someone who is not afraid to fall: but sometimes Jesus turns his back on you, now he has realized it. This year he aims to win his ninth world championship, and catch up with Rossi. If he succeeds, the next goal will be the tenth title: he will think of nothing else. But all of us would do the same in his condition. Winning is good. He wants to prove that he is the strongest of all”.

“Do I cheer for him? Enough, with this: I cheer for all the drivers who give me joy. The champions. Him, like Valentino. From the mental point of view, actually he is a devil. But it seems to me that what makes the difference, in the end, is only the track. The results. He is a champion. And I don’t understand why there is so much hatred for him. The criticism, the controversy: did he fight with Rossi? But those are personal matters, they have to stay away from the circuits. If it were up to him, he would win all 44 races on the schedule. Without leaving even the crumbs. He will try, you can bet on it. But you don&#8217t have to hate him for that. In his place you would do the same”.

“Don&#8220t forget that last year that guy said goodbye to the world&#8217s biggest engine company to start over with a satellite team. Wounded inside, like an animal. And with only one thought: to take it all back. I hope he gets fed up before he reaches my 15 titles. In the unfortunate event that he succeeds someday, I will not be happy at all. But I will congratulate him. He deserves it”.