The MotoGP world is abuzz with anticipation as a legendary team boss reveals his desire for a repeat of one of the sport's most iconic clashes. Davide Brivio, now at the helm of Trackhouse Racing, hopes to witness a thrilling on-track duel between his riders, Raul Fernandez and Ai Ogura, reminiscent of the legendary battle between Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo at the 2009 Catalan Grand Prix.
This rivalry between Rossi and Lorenzo is a tale as old as MotoGP itself, with their epic duel in Barcelona often hailed as the greatest race of the 21st Century. Back in 2009, both riders, teammates at Yamaha, put on a show, with Rossi snatching victory in a daring last-corner overtake on the final lap.
Brivio, a veteran of the paddock, was part of Yamaha's management team then. Now, he finds himself managing Trackhouse, a US-owned team that entered MotoGP in 2024 with Aprilia. In a recent interview, Brivio reminisced about the electric atmosphere in the Yamaha garage post-race, noting how Lorenzo's crew perceived Rossi's team's celebrations as an insult, a sign of the intense rivalry between the two riders.
"It was a big problem, but I hope it happens again!" Brivio exclaimed, referring to the tense dynamics between his current riders, Fernandez and Ogura. When asked about his experience with Rossi and Lorenzo at Yamaha, he said, "It's very strange when two riders from the same team fight for the title. They know each other inside out, and the tension is palpable. The Barcelona GP, won by Valentino, was the highlight. His team celebrated, and Lorenzo's crew took it personally, thinking they were being mocked. But in reality, Rossi's technicians would have celebrated the same way against any rider. We had to have meetings to clarify things... It was a big issue, but I'd love to see it happen again!"
Trackhouse unveiled its 2026 livery on January 21st, showcasing two distinct color schemes for the upcoming season. In addition to their traditional corporate colors, the team will sport a Gulf livery at five rounds in 2026, including the season-opener in Thailand.
Will we see history repeat itself with Fernandez and Ogura? Only time will tell. But one thing's for sure: the MotoGP community is eagerly awaiting the start of the 2026 season, hoping for more iconic clashes and unforgettable moments.
