Rossi started from pole, and by a few turns in,
was in control of the race.
Maybe 15-20 laps, Rossi made a "small error"
and the Savy Marquez seized the moment.
Within a few laps, Rossi had passed Marquez,
but could not pull out a gap - despite
posting his personal best lap - and the lap record.
Rossi has watched - at least on film - every race Marquez has run.
Here's MY thinking:
1) Rossi KNEW Marquez would make a challenge.
a) Rossi KNEW it would be late enough that Rossi
would not be able to retaliate, as Rossi usually does.
b) Rossi FIGURED it would be in the last turn,
so Marquez would have only the run to the finish to complete.
2)Knowing where Marquez would attack,
Rossi laid a trap.
a) Rossi DELIBERATELY left what he
ASSUMED Marquez would think was a gap.
b) Sure enough, Marquez fell into the trap.
c) Rossi, "closed the door" on Marquez.
d) Rossi figured there was a high probability
that Marquez would hit him.
e) Rossi was prepared for the "hit,"
and responded accordingly.
f) Marquez was taken by surprise,
and initially said that "I was ahead on track,
and Rossi leaned on me."
g) Race film show clearly that Rossi was
ahead-on-track when Marques rammed Rossi.
The operation was a success,
and the Doctor's patient died......