Aprilia Boss Rivola Fires Back at Marquez Over Team Orders Jab

The war of words between Aprilia and Marc Marquez has escalated after Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola fired back at the Ducati star's remarks about team orders. Speaking to DAZN, Marquez had suggested Ai Ogura was trying to stay in front of him during the Malaysian Grand Prix sprint because the Japanese rider knew he would otherwise take points away from Aprilia's Marco Bezzecchi, who passed Ogura late for third before the pair collided in the main race. Rivola did not hold back in his response, telling DAZN that what Marquez says does not really interest him — and adding pointedly that Ducati play team games at home, with their family. The row comes with the championship reaching its climax: Marquez leads by 44 points after his Malaysian victory, with Jorge Martin sidelined by a wrist injury and Bezzecchi 67 points adrift. Ducati's Gigi Dall'Igna has also weighed in on what the brand tells its riders. With the title possibly decided in Qatar this weekend, the off-track tension is rising just as fast as the on-track stakes.