Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) took his third career victory in an Argentine Grand Prix that will do down as one of the most chaotic races in MotoGP history. The Briton emerged victorious in front of Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) and Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) after a race which started in farcical scenes following a delay and ended amid huge controversy as fierce rivals Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi came to blows.
But the headlines of the race must be shared, with drama for Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) as the reigning Champion accrued a number of penalties and clashed with Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), with the fuse on the title fight now fired up and on full power.
Italy's Valentino Rossi has accused Marc Marquez of deliberately crashing into riders at the Argentina MotoGP, saying he is "scared" to race with him.
Spain's Marquez finished in 18th after being given a 30-second penalty for clashing with Rossi as he tried to overtake during the race.
Nine-time champion Rossi, who finished 19th, accused the current MotoGP champion of "destroying" the sport.
Marquez said Rossi's claims were wrong.
Earlier in the race, which was delayed by heavy rain, Honda rider Marquez was penalised for making contact with compatriot Aleix Espargaro. The four-time champion had started at the back of the grid for riding the wrong way down the track before the delayed start.
As the field came back round to line up for attempt number two at lights out, however, that wasn’t even the bigger headline – with reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) stalling on the grid and not in his position. The number 93 was then able to get the bike going and took his position, but had been told to instead start from pitlane.
The drama was far from done, until the number 93 made a lunge up the inside of the ‘Doctor’ – and misjudged it.
Both running wide and forced to sit up, Marquez was able to stay ahead – but the number 46 went down as he clipped the grass. Able to get back in the race and restarted, Rossi was left far down the order as the incident lit the fuse on the race and the rivalry of the two world champions.
Rossi said: "Because he [Marquez] does it purposely, it is not a mistake. So if you start to play like this, you raise the level to a very dangerous point.
"I'm scared on the track when I am with Marquez."
Marquez was seen trying to apologise to Rossi after the race, but was ushered away by Movistar Yamaha staff without speaking to the 39-year-old.
When asked about the Italian's comments, Marquez said he was "completely disappointed".
"In my career I never, never, never go straight to a rider thinking that he will crash. Always I try to avoid," he said.
"Today what happened with Valentino was a mistake, a consequence of the track conditions because I locked the front.
"But in my career, what he's saying, I think is wrong."
Rossi, who urged MotoGP to take action against Marquez, added: "This is a very bad situation, because he destroyed our sport, because he doesn't have any respect for his rivals, never."
Full results of the Argentine Grand Prix 2018
Next Race: Red Bull Grand Prix of The Americas - 20 Apr - 22 Apr. 2018
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