That was just petulant, Rossi

Valentino, you petulantly spoilt Jorge Lorenzo's party. Even before Lorenzo had arrived at his post-race press conference here at Valencia yesterday, you had mouthed off against Marc Marquez, making accusations that are impossible to verify.

Lorenzo's address to the media, and thus his millions of fans, should have been an opportunity to revel in his winning his third MotoGP title. Instead, and inevitably after Rossi's comments, the session degenerated into questioning about the accusations.

It left Lorenzo looking almost defensive as he justified his right to the championship. But he came out with a great line when he said: "The people who are making these things don't change my life, my happiness and my world."

Rock on, Jorge, you were the best rider over the season. Rossi meanwhile, has sunk in many people's estimation (apart from his hardcore followers who have long since lost any sense of perspective). It's so sad when icons, as they phase into the later part of their life, can so easily lose the plot.

Rossi's action ‘regrettable', says MotoGP stats king

Valentino Rossi's behaviour after he lost the chance on winning the MotoGP title at Valencia were "regrettable", Martin Raines, the official MotoGP statistician, has said.

Rossi accused Marc Marquez of helping Jorge Lorenzo to take the championship in the closing stages of the series, but after Rossi's outburst at Valencia Raines said: "I think Rossi's actions on the Thursday at Sepang were very regrettable. It seemed to me that he picked a fight with a guy who did not crumble under his bullying."

"Rossi could have missed the title at that point, because the result was that he had to start from the back of the grid today. I think the best and fastest rider in 2015 was the guy who won the championship."

And he added: "Rossi's behaviour in defeat has been very regrettable. It would be better if he were humble in victory and dignified in defeat, like another great champion who is leaving the sport this weekend, Nicky Hayden, who will be greatly missed."

Raines is the co-author of the definitive MotoGP Source Book: 60 Years of World Championship Racing.