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Marquez asks for calm ahead of decisive Valencia Moto GP

Xinhua, November 4, 2015 Adjust font size:

Spanish MotoGP rider Marc Marquez looked to play down his incident with World Championship leader Valentino Rossi which looks as if it could dominate the run in to the decisive Valencia GP on Sunday.

Reigning world champion Marquez, who rides for the Honda team, crashed out of the Malaysia GP a week ago when Rossi, frustrated at Marquez's delaying tactics, which he interpreted as being to help Marquez's fellow countryman Jorge Lorenzo, appeared to kick Marquez off his bike as he overtook him.

Lorenzo and Rossi both ride for the Yamaha team with Rossi holding a seven point lead over the Spaniard as they go into the final race of the season.

However, the Italian will have to start Sunday's race from last place on the grid as punishment for his actions in Malaysia unless he wins and appeals, the result of which will be known on Friday.

Following the incident in the race Marquez was also involved in a bust-up with two Italian TV reporters who turned up at his home in north-east Spain.

"It's been a difficult week after what happened in Sepang, but I've tried my best to put it behind me and concentrate on my training and looking forward to the final race of the season," said Marquez in a statement published by his team.

He said that he was looking to "finish on a high note so we will work hard from Friday to get the bike set up well and give ourselves the best chance for the race."

"I've had mixed results here (in Valencia) in the past but I enjoy racing here in front of the home fans. I hope the events of the past week can be put behind us and we can focus on the race," said Marquez. Endi