Marc Marquez has rejected suggestions that he was a major MotoGP rival to Valentino Rossi, despite sharing the premier-class grid from 2013 until Rossi’s retirement in 2021. Addressing the topic at VR46’s Mandalika livery launch, Marquez MotoGP rivalry was referenced in relation to Rossi’s recent list of his top competitors, from which Marquez was notably absent.
Valentino Rossi’s Perspective on His Greatest MotoGP Competitors
During the VR46 team event, Valentino Rossi identified Casey Stoner, Jorge Lorenzo, Max Biaggi, and Dani Pedrosa as his most significant rivals. Among them, he hinted that Lorenzo was perhaps the fiercest rival, highlighting their long tenure as Yamaha teammates. Rossi described his contest with Lorenzo as more than just competition, likening it to a “love story.”
It was not just a rivalry – it was like a love story,
Rossi said.
The omission of Marquez from this group raised some eyebrows considering their direct battles on the track. Marquez and Rossi had a contentious relationship after a bitter conflict in 2015— the only season in which Rossi finished ahead of Marquez but ultimately lost the title to Lorenzo during the final race. Despite this, Marquez has now equaled Rossi’s record of seven premier-class championships after winning the current season riding for Ducati Lenovo.
Marc Marquez’s Response to Rivalry Omissions
When asked about why he was excluded from Rossi’s list, Marquez responded plainly:
Because we never fought for a championship.
He clarified that this statement wasn’t about the titles Rossi did not win while Marquez was racing but instead pointed out his focus on other opponents. Marquez explained:
No, no, no, not in that way…. It’s just that when I arrived, my biggest opponent, for example, one year was Lorenzo. And then jumped to Dovizioso.
This explanation framed Marquez’s competition priorities as centered on direct championship rivals during each season, rather than personal rivalries or past conflicts.
Looking Ahead: Marquez’s Plans Beyond the Current Season
After securing his latest championship six years following his previous title, Marquez is already shifting some attention towards future development. Speaking at Mandalika, he shared his commitment to preparing for the 2026 season by testing new configurations and setups in upcoming races.
Yeah, this weekend we start already the work for 2026,
Marquez commented.
We need to retry some things, try to play a bit with the set-up, try to play with the different things that are available and try to start to work for 2026.
With 11 wins so far this season, he is within reach of breaking his 2014 record of 13 Grand Prix victories in a single year but emphasized he isn’t pressuring himself to achieve this milestone.
A long time ago I was winning and there remained some races, it was like I wanted to arrive to the next one, attack and win everything,
Marquez reflected.
Let’s see, the first target is try not to do stupid mistakes because when you achieve your main target, the adrenaline comes down and then sometimes you don’t have the same concentration.
Nevertheless, he remains optimistic about reaching 13 wins.
Now I’m on eleven? Yeah, we can, because I think about Phillip Island and Valencia!
While acknowledging certain circuits such as Mandalika, Malaysia, and Portimao aren’t his strongest, he expressed confidence in defending his position without added pressure.
But as I said, I don’t want to put pressure on myself.
The Impact of Qualifying on Race Performance and Team Dynamics
Beyond Marquez’s success, his Ducati teammate Francesco Bagnaia captured considerable attention with a dominant double victory at Motegi, leading every lap of both Sprint and Grand Prix races. Bagnaia credited bike adjustments made during the Misano test for his improvement, though Marquez pointed to the significant influence of qualifying results on race outcomes.
If I have the chance to fight, I will try. But as we see, it’s quite difficult with these bikes to fight a lot,
Marquez explained.
He compared Bagnaia’s performances at Misano and Motegi, suggesting the key factor in his victory was starting position rather than bike changes.
Marquez further illustrated this concept through the example of his brother, Alex Marquez:
“The difference between Catalunya Alex and Motegi Alex. The difference was he started on pole or he started in the middle of the group.”
It’s super difficult to overtake with these bikes. And yeah, we will try to fight, but you cannot do more than six, seven overtakes in a race.
Currently, Alex Marquez holds a 66-point lead for second place in the championship standings ahead of Bagnaia as the season progresses.
What Marquez’s Victory Means for MotoGP’s Competitive Landscape
Marc Marquez’s latest championship win and record-equalling career tally reinforce his status as one of MotoGP’s dominant figures, while his measured attitude toward rivalry and pressure underscores his experience. His focus on future development signals a continuing commitment to innovation and competition at the highest level.
With strong performances from teammates and rivals alike, the 2024 season remains highly competitive and promises exciting battles ahead as the calendar progresses toward its conclusion.
