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Marc Marquez doesnt care about Valentino Rossi congratulating him

Marc Marquez is closing in on Valentino Rossis record of seven MotoGP titles, with the pair coming to blows previously and admitted he doesnt care if he is not congratulated by the Doctor

Marc Marquez admits "he doesn't care" whether Valentino Rossi congratulates him as he targets The Doctor's record of seven MotoGP titles.

The Spaniard has long looked set to equal, and eventually surpass, the Italian rider's haul of world championships.

The upcoming season gives him a chance to do so with the MotoGP grid reconvening in Jerez on July 19.

Marquez and Rossi have clashed in the past, with the Spaniard seeing his offer of a handshake knocked back by Rossi at Misano in 2018.

But the Honda rider confessed, despite Rossi congratulating him last year, that he isn't bothered and instead wants praise from his team.

[Marc Marquez has admitted he 'doesn't care' if Valentino Rossi does not congratulate him on a seventh MotoGP title]

Marc Marquez has admitted he 'doesn't care' if Valentino Rossi does not congratulate him on a seventh MotoGP title(Image: 2019 Getty Images)

"Well I don't know and also I don't care about it, honestly speaking," the 27-year-old Honda racer said when asked if he expects the Italians congratulations .

"Between the riders, if somebody wins, always we congratulate them. Even last year Valentino congratulated me.

"This is something, we know that if somebody is faster we congratulate him but I don't care.

[The pair came to blows two years ago when Rossi refused to shake the MotoGP champion's hand after a clash]

The pair came to blows two years ago when Rossi refused to shake the MotoGP champion's hand after a clash(Image: MOTOGP)

I just care if my team congratulates me because we are a team and inside of my box is the people that will help me and follow me in any direction."

Marquez's rapid rise means he can equal Rossi's number of titles before his 28th birthday.

But he maintains, for the day he arrived in the Premier class, that The Doctor's number of championships has never been a target.

[Closing in on The Doctor's seven MotoGP titles, Marquez has said he 'doesn't care' if he is not congratulated by his rival]

Closing in on The Doctor's seven MotoGP titles, Marquez has said he 'doesn't care' if he is not congratulated by his rival(Image: Emmanuele Ciancaglini/NurPhoto)

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He continued: "I mean the target every year, although in 2013 it was not the main target, is try to win race and of course try to fight for a championship.

"I never put a point of focused on one number, one name, I just enjoy and now I have eight titles with six in MotoGP and this year I will try and do another one and then next year another one."

MotoGP returns to action on 19th July at the Circuito de Jerez live on BT Sport.

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