Reigning MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo publicly criticised Marco Simoncelli over his riding ethics during today's post-qualifying press conference, sparking a session of handbags in front of the world's media.

Which went something like this:

Simoncelli: "I read something that he said about my riding style, but for me, he said some wrong things, because he said that last year in Valencia I touched him and he nearly crashed, but it was not true because I was in front, he tried to pass me and he made a mistake. For me that is not a correct example."

Lorenzo (to Simoncelli): "From my side, I think yesterday I spoke the right words. For me, it's not a problem. If nothing happens in the future, it's not a problem. We'll see what happens in the future."

"I think you have done a lot of touching with a lot of riders. How many races have I not crashed or touched anyone?

"This is your opinion, but I think a lot of people here in the paddock and a lot of riders have the same opinion as me. Ask Dovizioso, for example.

"If in the future nothing happens, it's not a problem. But if in the future something happens with you, it will be a problem."