Marc Marquez is about to become a seven-time MotoGP world champion. It will be his ninth title overall in the premier class.
Jorge Lorenzo, speaking on the Mig Babol podcast, declared that Marquez will win the title this year. But that’s hardly a bold take – he’s entered the summer break 120 points clear of his brother Alex.
Some would argue that this version of the 32-year-old is the best ever. With eight victories from 12 rounds, Marquez could break his own record for wins in a season (13).
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Across 24 events (Grands Prix plus Sprints), Marquez has only been beaten five times this year. In two of those races, he was likely on course for victory before throwing it away with a fall.
Jorge Lorenzo says Marc Marquez is sometimes ‘too ambitious’ on a MotoGP bike
Lorenzo was the reigning MotoGP world champion when Marquez broke into the premier class with Honda in 2013. That was his second title in the top tier.
The former Yamaha rider took his third and final crown in 2015, with Valentino Rossi accusing Marquez of lending his compatriot a helping hand. Lorenzo was the only rider to beat the Ant of Cervera during his fully-fit days at Honda.
He believes Marquez has been so dominant because of a combination of natural talent, physical strength and a lack of fear. He’s also mastered a ‘very difficult’ braking technique.
But his bravery is both a blessing and a curse. It’s given rise to the popular adage that only Marquez can beat Marquez.
“Marc is a natural talent, physically very strong by nature, and he also works a lot on his physique,” said Lorenzo. “Great reflexes, and above all, he stands out because he has the least fear of getting hurt.
“He’s a great braker. He brakes very late, especially on left turns. Many left turns, he uses the brake very little because he can stop the bike even while flying. That’s very difficult.
“The weak point is precisely what has made him become so strong – he’s not afraid. Sometimes he’s too ambitious, and in the past, he’s made mistakes that have hurt him because of that ambition to always win, regardless of the circumstances.”
Amid multiple arm surgeries and Honda’s decline, Marquez contested 52 races between the start of 2020 and the end of 2023. He failed to finish 13 of them.
Why Marc Marquez is succeeding where Valentino Rossi failed at Ducati
Marquez’s relentless ‘ambition to win’ was most evident in the late 2010s. In winning the 2018 title, he outscored teammate Dani Pedrosa, who could only manage 11th in the championship, by more than 200 points.
And a year later, new signing Lorenzo wound up down in 15th as Marquez extended his streak. These were bikes that, in the eyes of many in the paddock, had no right to be winning the championship – a reality that became clear in the early 2020s.
Andrea Dovizioso unsuccessfully tried to dethrone him on a Ducati that may have been superior. But Marquez has made Luigi Dall’Igna realise what he was missing.
Ducati also worked with Rossi, but they couldn’t provide him with a winning package. As their marketing chief acknowledges, Marquez has arrived just as the team have reached their peak, but he’s still setting a new standard.