“We have not yet spoke. I guess coming to terms with not being able to win the championship will be tough for him, as it is for everyone. I imagine he will have to spend a few months away to cope with failure on his part”

“Honestly on Sunday after the race it hurt but it’s a different situation as there is lots of adrenaline,” he told Italian reporters.

“On Monday instead it was tough and yesterday [Tuesday], I cried too, it was quite a struggle.

“Today [Wednesday] it has been a bit better, but the wound is still sore and I feel like I’m holding back a tsunami of tears, a situation, that will take months if not years to – not forget, because you’ll never forget it – but to come to terms with.”

“I’m curious to see Honda’s telemetry. Oh, they haven’t shown it? Strange!” said Rossi.

“I’d like to figure out how Honda think they can demonstrate through telemetry that I had kicked him. This is something you should ask them.

“They wanted to show it but now for the good of motorcycle racing they won’t…”