AUSTRALIAN RACING legend Mick Doohan says the off-track tiff between MotoGP stars Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner is 'just part of the game'.
The comments from the ex-500cc guru came after Stoner and Rossi clashed on the circuit during the US Grand Prix at Laguna Seca.
Stoner verbally pounced on the Italian after losing an epic battle during last weekend's US GP.
He said Rossi had made moves on him which were "too much" and said he would have preferred a cleaner battle.
Doohan said it was normal for riders to trade accusations in a bid to gain a psychological edge and forecast more to come. He told The Sydney Morning Herald:
"Don't be surprised if there are a few more words spoken between them if the points gap closes up, and that will keep things interesting off the track," Doohan said.
"What they said after the race seems normal when you have two guys fighting for the championship.
"Riders say things sometimes to try and get an edge on their rivals, or maybe unsettle them. It's part of the game.
"This type of verbal battle has been going on forever - Barry Sheene and Kenny Roberts were doing it 30 years ago and we've seen it many times since between various rivals of different eras.
"Regardless of what was said after Laguna Seca, I'd say that deep down both Casey and Valentino have huge respect for each other."
