The awkward moment was provoked by questions arising from Marquez’s comments in an interview in the break after the cancelled British GP, where he said he would be happy to “make peace” with his great rival.

Speaking from a position significantly leading the World Championship, Marquez might have thought it a timely move; but when Rossi was asked his opinion, he demurred. “It sounds to me a bit strange, because in reality we don’t have any problems between me and Marc. So I don’t know why we have to ‘make peace’. For me, it’s okay.”

In that case, came another question, would you shake hands?

Marquez put out his paw, but Rossi kept his arms crossed and shook his head. Marquez accepted the rebuff with a smile, later commenting: “I am leading the championship and riding really well, so I am in a sweet moment. So it’s okay.”

Rossi repeated his “we are okay”, comment, saying: “We don’t need to shake hands.” But his aloof refusal even to look at his rival said more, and the next day he told Italian media he was sorry about the situation, but that personal relationships were not important. “It is not written anywhere that we must go out to dinner,”

Some deplored that Rossi had not taken the chance to cool down an atmosphere that has his legion of fans hissing and booing at the podium every time Marquez wins – which is rather often. This is to misunderstand the nature of their rivalry. In terms of racing, each will draw strength from it; while Rossi in particular will also make money from it, with boosted sales of memorabilia.

The first major fall-out was in 2015, coming to a head when Rossi unexpectedly (and very illogically) used the Malaysian GP pre-race conference to accuse Marquez of helping his (Rossi’s) Yamaha team-mate Lorenzo to win the championship.

“How?” wondered Marquez. “By beating him at the last race?”

Nothing daunted, Rossi swerved around to slow Marquez at the race three days later, eventually pushing the Honda rider into a crash. He denied a deliberate kick, but was hit with a back-of-the-grid penalty at the next round, and Lorenzo won the title.

The animosity flared up again in Argentina this year, when it was Marquez’s turn to bump Rossi off. Rossi insisted it was deliberate, refused to accept an apology, and, not offered a chance to do so, was happy to continue the fight.