MotoGP Riders Criticize “Disrespectful” Booing of Marc Marquez at Misano
MotoGP riders have expressed their disapproval of the booing aimed at Marc Marquez after his victory at the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano. The six-time MotoGP world champion was met with jeers from a section of the crowd as he stood on the podium, a response many in the paddock have called “disrespectful.”
Marquez’s rivalry with Italian legend Valentino Rossi, which peaked during the mid-to-late 2010s, still lingers among some Italian fans. Despite Rossi’s retirement and transition to GT3 racing, a faction of his supporters remains hostile toward Marquez at certain events.
Factory Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia, who will be Marquez’s teammate in 2025, was among the first to call out the fans for their behavior. He shared his own experience of being targeted by fans and condemned the hostility at Misano.
“Haters will always hate,” Bagnaia said. “But it’s really disrespectful. We’re giving our maximum every time, and to hear that kind of response while you’re up there is something I don’t understand.”
Bagnaia further recalled how he was similarly booed after winning in Barcelona, pointing out that the issue isn’t limited to Italian venues. “When you know you’re giving everything, and people still boo, it’s very disheartening,” he added.
Marquez, for his part, expressed his gratitude toward Bagnaia for trying to calm the crowd at Misano. “Pecco [Bagnaia] tried to settle the fans, and I appreciate that,” Marquez said. “I didn’t notice it on the podium, but later I saw the video. It’s something the riders can help control, not the journalists or organizers.”
While Marquez acknowledged the passionate nature of MotoGP fans, he emphasized that supporting one rider shouldn’t come at the expense of disrespecting others. “If you support one rider, it’s not necessary to boo the others,” he said.
Jorge Martin of Pramac Racing also weighed in on the situation, highlighting the dangerous nature of the sport and calling for more respect from fans. “We’re giving 100%, risking our lives out there,” Martin said. “Booing just doesn’t make sense in a sport like this.”
Despite the outcry from fellow riders, the incident at Misano serves as a reminder of the lingering tensions between fanbases in MotoGP, especially when long-standing rivalries are involved. As the 2024 season continues, riders hope for more respectful behavior from spectators at upcoming races.
