Ranking the most controversial MotoGP feuds of all time

5 – Kevin Schwantz vs Wayne Rainey

An all-American feud that began when the two were racing in the United States, Schwantz and Rainey became even greater rivals when they joined the world championship. 

One of the first real signs of tension between the pair actually started on British soil during 987 Transatlantic Trophy races when both riders consistently rubbed paint. 

When the two moved to grand prix racing, their battles became greater by the year as they contested multiple titles against one-another. 

Rainey was the more successful of the two American’s, winning three titles (on the bounce) compared to Schwantz’ one which came in 1993 – the year after Rainey completed his treble of titles.

4 – Valentino Rossi vs Max Biaggi

Not the last Rossi rivalry that will make this list, as the nine-time world champion was a magnet for creating the biggest and best battles due to his incredible success.

Of course, his willingness to do anything to win was evident throughout his career, and one of his biggest moments in the spotlight came as a young rider when battling Max Biaggi. 

When Rossi joined MotoGP the two Italians wasted no time in becoming fierce rivals, as was demonstrated in 1997 when it all began in a restaurant. Rossi was interviewed by the media at Suzuka which angered Biaggi as the out-spoken Italian said: “When you talk about me, first rinse your mouth!”

Since then Biaggi has softened his stance and looking back, he added: “I think we were two idiots who waged war against each other through the press instead of clarifying in person how we should have done.” 

3 – Rossi vs Casey Stoner (in more ways than one)

Rossi and Stoner are without doubt two of the greatest talents MotoGP has ever seen, and their on-track battles showed that.

But the pair was just as vocal about one-another then off circuit, especially when Rossi moved to Ducati to try and replace Stoner, something which went badly.

Stoner was not always a fan of the hard racing Rossi used against him, and following a particular incident at Jerez the Australian famously said his ambition outweighed his talent. 

Speaking recently about their coming-together at Jerez, Stoner said: “The first moment he had to take pride back he took the opportunity but made a big mistake. I basically said that [to him that] the ambition was more than the talent [he had] at the time.”

Stoner then added: “For me, when he returned to the box to apologise and you are wearing the gloves, the helmet, I don’t have a lot of respect for that. 

“If he came to me and not publicly then that would have been different. But I was very disappointed to see the way he came in the box.”

Lorenzo vs Pedrosa 

An All-Spanish rivalry, Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa were very bitter rivals during much of their career.

Lorenzo and Pedrosa did battle against each other in every category, and with the pride of being the fastest Spaniard at stake, their ambitions made them fight each other…