In a rare moment of reflection, Valentino Rossi has admitted he regrets the error of judgment that might cost him a chance of winning the MotoGP world championship.
Rossi was found guilty of deliberately forcing Honda rival Marc Marquez wide, resulting in a crash in the Malaysian GP, an incident that triggered two weeks of controversy.
"Unfortunately I don't have any other choice, I just regret to go wide and not follow my normal line," said Rossi of his move in the Sepang race.
The resulting penalty means that Rossi must start rear-of-grid in Sunday's final race in Valencia, which is already a sell-out with 110,000 tickets sold.
The Rossi-Marquez feud, plus Rossi's bid to beat Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo in a tense title fight, has set the scene for an intriguing contest in Valencia.
Marquez, unlike Rossi, has been out of title contention since mid-season, and for him, only race results count.
"I regret just that I did not finish the Sepang race for my team, that was my target," Marquez said.
"In every race, I am trying to do my best for my sponsors and my team, just like everyone else. I will always do my best to finish on the podium."
Come Sunday in Valencia, Marquez says that he will not change his approach in engaging his rivals, and even Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa, to achieve the best possible result.
"If I need to fight with my teammate I will fight with him, and it is the same with Jorge and Valentino, if I need to fight with them I will," Marquez said.
"I'm always be trying to get the best result for my team and for me."
Rossi trails Lorenzo by seven points going into the Valencia Grand Prix.
