MotoGP, Tardozzi: "the boos at Marquez? Marc is not bad, and he is an incredible rider"

Bad habits never die, so last Sunday in Misano when Marc Marquez occupied the center of the podium came broadsides of boos. Less than what it used to be, but even if it were one, that would be one too many. The perpetrators are 'those of 2015,' those who for some reason still feel defrauded of their 10th title and accuse the Cervera superstar of impropriety, when his was only a response - he could have avoided it, of course - to Valentino Rossi's accusations in Sepang, also avoidable. But it is also true, and the calm Bagnaia in Aragon proved it, that sometimes hot tempers do not help the formulation of correct thoughts.

It's true: the good Lord taught us to turn the other cheek, but only saints do that, and anyone who goes at 350 per hour is not a saint. However, it's time to put an end to all this, and just as we can hear and appreciate Valentino's words of détente about past adversaries-enemies, riders like Max Biaggi or Jorge Lorenzo, so we would like the Phenomenon of Tavullia to make peace with his past and, perhaps, see banners like the legendary one that at Misano the fans of Renzo Pasolini addressed to Giacomo Agostini: Ago, watch out for the gloves!

A good-natured but stinging tease for a lukewarm apology for the too-tight gloves that prevented the King of Kings from beating his opponent. Those were other times.

We were pleased, however, to see both Davide Tardozzi and Gigi Dall'Igna make eloquent gestures to the noise of the crowd, and even more so to hear Davide, an ex-racer himself, air his thoughts.

"I don't like booing a rider on the podium at all. Marquez is not a bad guy, he is an incredible rider and we made a big bet on him for next year. He and Bagnaia will make a great team. With the conditions that were there, in a difficult moment, Marc clearly made the difference and Pecco showed he was smart by not taking too many risks, the 20 points gained as a result of Martin's mistake are precious. I said it at the beginning, when we made Ducati's decision known: those who thought Marc wouldn't be there for the title don't understand much about motorcycle racing."