Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi : Who is the more popular Yamaha Factory Racing duo Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo both recently felt the love in South America when they each went on a whirl-wind promotional tour on their way to Austin a couple of weeks ago. So, it comes as no surprise that Argentina loves premier class racing and MotoGP stars too! After being deprived of a MotoGP presence in their country for fifteen year’s the Argentinians are starved for some Grand Prix motorcycle racing excitement. They are also wild on the idea that their favourite racing idles will be right there and accessible – even close enough to touch? Lorenzo and Valentino had already been blown away by the overwhelming passion of their Latin American fans, but Marc Marquez is totally unfamiliar with the South American neighbourhood. They are new to him, as he is new to them. Valentino Rossi is, and has been for quite some time, the face of MotoGP. He has won the World MotoGP championship nine times, he has been interviewed by the Rolling Stone magazine a number of times; he’s a legend, he’s famous, and he’s been around for a while. You would assume that he would be used to the adoring mob. On the other hand Marc Marquez is new, young, good looking, and the defending world champion of a dangerous sport – teen idol comes to mind – and we know what happens when the subject of teenage affections comes to town. Who will draw the biggest crowd, Valentino Rossi the legend or Marc Marquez the teen idol? It just so happens that both Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez both got the munchies on Wednesday evening and went in search for a bite to eat near the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit – separately. Rossi may be a veteran at handling his fame but he was taken completely by surprise by the horde that awaited him. He said that this was something he expects and is used to at airports, but the people and the cameras he encountered on the street gave him a better understanding of what it feels like to be a zoo animal. He loves the love, but he has decided to lay low this weekend. Reigning MotoGP world champion Marc Marquez had a slightly different experience. He said with a chuckle, that his problem was Valentino Rossi. According to Marc, he was in the front of the restaurant while the crowd was waiting for Rossi. They didn’t really notice him until the legend left. Nonetheless, he too was overwhelmed by their numbers and enthusiasm. Marquez believes it will be safer for him on the track this weekend. The two MotoGP superstars won’t be in hiding for too long, they’ll be out on the track for first free practice Friday morning and they’re adoring fans will be able to see them then.
Posted on: Fri, 25 Apr 2014 09:21:10 +0000