Let's face it. We all love thrilling battles. Rivalries exist in all sports, and racing is no exception, especially when World Championship glory is on the line. These rivalries separate the men from the boys, and some stories even look like they came straight out of Hollywood when it comes to the drama, the emotion and the intensity of these titanic duels.

The best battles on two wheels are decided on and off the track, especially when mutual respect and friendly competition is thrown out the window, and bitter feuds flare up. We take a look at some of the most memorable rivalries in motorcycle racing in recent memory.

8 Valentino Rossi Vs. Jorge Lorenzo Vs. Marc Marquez, 2015

Probably the greatest motorcycle racing feud in recent memory came when MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi clashed with up-and-coming legend Marc Marquez and his established veteran teammate Jorge Lorenzo for the 2015 World Championship.

A season-long clash of the titans gave way to controversial on-track maneuvers and off-track media statements that ultimately reached its height when Rossi was penalized at the final race in Valencia after kicking Marquez off his bike in the penultimate race in Sepang, handing over the title to Lorenzo.

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7 Colin Edwards Vs. Troy Bayliss, 2002

Not only does Ducati vs. Honda happen in MotoGP, the two manufacturers also enjoyed a fantastic duel in the World Superbike Championship, also known as WSBK, in 2002. Fans were thrilled when the "Texas Tornado" Colin Edwards battled against Troy Bayliss.

The title went down to the final race in Imola in 2002, where Edwards took his eleventh race win on his way to the title, but not without the 2001 champion giving him a tough time as they went back and forth throughout the race.

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6 Carl Fogarty Vs. Scott Russell, 1994

Unlike Edwards vs. Bayliss, which was a rivalry that was settled on the track, the World Superbike duel between Carl Fogarty and Scott Russell back in the 90s was very different. The two riders never got along, as seen through their refusal to shake hands during podium ceremonies and more.

In the end, Fogarty beat Russell for the 1994 title, and considered him his toughest rival. The English rider won three more titles before retiring in 2000.

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5 Valentino Rossi Vs. Max Biaggi, 2001

Two Italians riding legendary MotoGP bikes ultimately made for a fiery championship battle as Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi clashed during the early 2000s.

The highlight of the rivalry was when the "Roman Emperor" Biaggi pushed Rossi wide into the grass in the Suzuka race, and Rossi retaliating by giving Biaggi the middle finger after overtaking him. In their five-year duel, however, Rossi had the last laugh as he swept the championship from 2001 to 2005.

4 Dani Pedrosa Vs. Casey Stoner, 2005

Prior to both riders entering the premier class of MotoGP, Dani Pedrosa and Casey Stoner already provided fans with spectacular battles during the 2005 250cc championship.

Pedrosa won a close battle against Stoner, where either of them were on the top step of the podium for 13 out of 16 races. Stoner, however, would accomplish what Pedrosa couldn't, winning the premier class championship in 2007 and 2011.

3 Kevin Schwantz Vs. Wayne Rainey, 1993

These two legends battled tooth and nail in the 500cc world championship, and it took a career-ending injury that would end the feud once and for all, as Kevin Schwantz and Wayne Rainey entertained us during the early 90s.

Rainey won the war with three titles, but Schwantz won more races during their duel. A career-ending crash saw Rainey become paralyzed from the waist down in 1993, ending their rivalry. Schwantz took that year's title, but retired a year and a half later, also due to his sustained injuries.

2 Troy Bayliss Vs. James Toseland, 2007

The World Superbike Championship in 2007 saw the veteran Troy Bayliss go up against a young and up-and-coming rider, James Toseland in what would be a fierce but mutually respected rivalry.

It was a back and forth affair between the two, as Bayliss was the world champion in 2006, while Toseland took the title in 2007 after the Australian was sidelined due to injury. However, Bayliss would come back to win his final title in 2008 and retire after that season.

1 Valentino Rossi Vs. Sete Gibernau, 2005

Last but not the least, the rivalry between Valentino Rossi and Sete Gibernau was a sight to behold in the mid-2000s. Rossi was out to prove that it wasn't the RC211V that gave him three titles in a row, while Gibernau was making a statement that he's the number one Honda rider.

The pair clashed in 2004 and 2005, where they vied for race wins as Rossi gave the M1 two straight titles, and Gibernau ran close in those years. People would not forget the last corner of the last lap of the 2005 Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez, where Rossi forced Gibernau to go wide in order to take home the victory. Since then, the two did not see eye to eye, and ultimately Gibernau would bow out and left MotoGP.

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