Lorenzo denies the comments about Rossi: «I never mentioned him». And he accuses the media of manipulation

Lorenzo breaks his silence: the denial comes on Instagram

Jorge Lorenzo has decided to speak out personally.

After the publication of articles attributing statements about Valentino Rossi to him, the five-time world champion posted a long statement on his Instagram profile, openly challenging the account given by some media outlets.

At the centre of the controversy are the words spoken by the Majorcan during an interview in which he had named Marc Márquez among the greatest riders in history.

Some journalistic accounts had interpreted his judgement as an explicit exclusion of Valentino Rossi from the comparison with Márquez and Giacomo Agostini.

A version that Lorenzo firmly rejects.

In his statement, also published in Italian, the Majorcan writes:

«One thing is sensationalism, but inventing that I mentioned a rider I did not even name in my statement goes beyond every limit of journalistic manipulation».

Strong words, accompanied by a precise accusation against those who, according to the former Yamaha and Ducati rider, used decontextualised headlines to attract attention.

«False information»: Lorenzo's attack on the media

The stance does not stop at a simple denial.

Lorenzo denounces what he sees as an increasingly common practice in sports journalism: turning statements and opinions into controversy through headlines that do not faithfully reflect the words of those interviewed.

In the statement he argues that some media no longer respect any limit in order to generate views, even when this causes damage to the reputation of the people involved.

The Majorcan also urges editorial teams to consult the original interviews before publishing news, to avoid the spread of inaccurate statements or ones lifted out of context.

A request that deserves attention.

Because there is a substantial difference between saying that Marc Márquez is the best rider of the modern era and explicitly stating that Valentino Rossi does not deserve to be included among the greatest.

The first is a sporting opinion. The second is a specific statement that, in order to be attributed to someone, must actually have been spoken.

And it is precisely this distinction that Lorenzo asserts.

The clarification: what did Lorenzo actually say?

The controversy stems from the assessments expressed by the Majorcan about the sporting greatness of Marc Márquez.

Lorenzo showed great esteem for his compatriot, comparing his historical value with that of Giacomo Agostini.

From there, interpretations arose that also involved Valentino Rossi.

However, on the basis of the information currently available, it is not correct to attribute to Lorenzo an explicit exclusion of the Doctor from the group of the greatest riders in history.

The man himself denies having named him.

Ultimogiro.net notes the denial and corrects any previous wording that may have presented Rossi's exclusion as a statement actually made by Lorenzo.

It remains legitimate to discuss the Majorcan's sporting assessment, as well as to compare the results and careers of the MotoGP protagonists.

But the debate must begin with correctly attributed statements.

Rossi and Lorenzo: a rivalry that defined an era

The incident inevitably brought to mind the relationship between Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi.

One of the most intense sporting rivalries in modern motorcycling, born inside the Yamaha pits and culminating in the controversial 2015 world championship.

A season in which Lorenzo took seven victories against Rossi's four, showing extraordinary speed.

But also a championship in which Valentino built his lead through exceptional consistency.

Fifteen podiums against his team-mate's twelve.

No retirement.

And the World Championship lead maintained from the first race in Qatar until the eve of the final round in Valencia, despite sharing the lead on equal points after Brno.

Then came Sepang, the contact between Rossi and Márquez, the penalty and the start from the back of the grid in the final race.

Lorenzo won the World Championship with 330 points, against Rossi's 325.

Five points that still divide fans today.

Valencia 2015 and the duel between Márquez and Pedrosa

Among the most discussed episodes of that season remains the end of the Valencia Grand Prix.

Jorge Lorenzo was leading the race ahead of Marc Márquez, while Dani Pedrosa was closing rapidly.

In the final laps Pedrosa caught his team-mate and attacked him, managing to overtake him momentarily.

Márquez responded immediately, reclaiming second place.

That duel helped give Lorenzo the margin needed to keep the lead until the chequered flag.

The mathematics of the World Championship still makes an alternative scenario interesting today.

If Pedrosa had managed to win ahead of Lorenzo, with Rossi fourth, Valentino would have taken the title with 327 points against the Majorcan's 325.

Two points ahead.

Naturally, this is only a hypothesis. There is no certainty that Pedrosa would have passed Lorenzo, nor any established proof of an agreement between the Spanish riders.

Márquez himself, at Phillip Island, had passed Lorenzo on the last lap, taking five points from him.

These are elements that make a careful and complete reading of that season necessary.

The polemics of 2015 do not prove today's accusations

During the rivalry with Rossi, Lorenzo was at the centre of controversial statements and behaviour.

At Sepang, in 2015, he criticised the penalty given to his team-mate, judging it too light.

During the podium ceremony he gave Rossi a thumbs-down, a gesture for which he later apologised.

After Valencia, moreover, some of his statements about Honda's behaviour further fuelled the debate.

These are documented episodes, part of the history of that rivalry.

But they cannot be used to automatically attribute to Lorenzo statements never made in a later interview.

Sporting criticism is legitimate. Reconstructing the words of a protagonist, however, must respect what was actually said.

The right to criticise and the duty to verify

Jorge Lorenzo remains one of the greatest riders of his generation.

Five world titles, a recognisable riding style and a career built on precision and speed.

Valentino Rossi, for his part, marked an era that goes far beyond sporting results.

Their rivalry will probably continue to divide fans for many years to come.

But the debate about the greatness of Rossi, Lorenzo or Márquez cannot be fuelled by attributing unverified phrases to the protagonists.

It is possible to challenge Lorenzo's opinions without inventing others.

And it is possible to remember the controversies of 2015 without turning them into proof of current accusations.

The denial published on Instagram therefore represents an essential element in correctly reconstructing this incident.

A controversy that demands reflection

Motorcycling lives on rivalry, emotion and debate.

These are elements that have built its history and contributed to its popularity.

But precisely because these rivalries involve millions of fans, every word carries particular weight.

Jorge Lorenzo has chosen to defend his position publicly, denouncing statements that he says he never made.

A denial that deserves to be reported with the same prominence given to the news that generated the controversy.

The 2015 World Championship remains a controversial chapter in MotoGP history.

Opinions on the greatness of Valentino Rossi and Marc Márquez will continue to divide fans.

But this time the news is not a new attack by Lorenzo on the Doctor.

It is his complaint against those who attributed to him words he says he never said.

And even that distinction, in journalism, matters.