Alex Rins picks his MotoGP GOAT after racing against Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi

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Alex Rins made his MotoGP debut in 2017, having finished in the top three in the intermediate class in back-to-back seasons. He arrived in the midst of Marc Marquez’s dominance.

Marquez had become world champion for a third time in 2016, launching a run of four in a row. The Ant of Cervera’s retirement at the 2019 Americas GP gave Rins, then a Suzuki rider, a chance to take his first victory at the expense of Valentino Rossi.

In 2023, the Spaniard joined Honda satellite squad LCR. That gave him the chance to study Marquez’s data up close, even if neither rider took a full part in the season.

Rins’ victory in Austin that year made the first rider not named Marquez to win for Honda since Cal Crutchlow in 2018. Still, it was a brief stint as he switched to Yamaha, where he now partners world champion Fabio Quartararo.

Alex Rins nominates Valentino Rossi as the best MotoGP rider

Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, Rins was asked to ‘name the best’ in several categories. He jokingly chose Joan Mir as the best Spanish rider ever because the Honda star was next to him in the media pen.

He picked Trackhouse’s Ai Ogura as the rookie who’s impressed the most, rather than Gresini’s Fermin Aldeguer or LCR’s Somkiat Chantra. Ogura has accumulated the highest points tally among the trio.

Austin, perhaps unsurprisingly given his record, was his pick for best track, and turn 10 at the Circuit of the Americas is his favourite corner. The crowd at Jerez is the loudest in his opinion, though.

But most importantly, he was asked to choose just one rider from the sport’s history.

He replied: “Any rider of all time? I would say Rossi.”

What did Valentino Rossi think of Marc Marquez’s MotoGP debut in 2013?

Cynics may argue that Rins’ status as a Yamaha rider factored into his answer. Rossi is an icon for the Japanese manufacturer after winning four of his six MotoGP titles on their bikes.

He and Marquez are unquestionably the outstanding riders of the modern era. The question would likely split the grid down the middle.

Rossi’s camp are concerned Marquez will break his records this year after joining the dominant Ducati team. He can equal his premier-class title haul and replace him as the series’ oldest champion.

Speaking at the 2013 Qatar GP, a prescient Rossi said Marquez would be ‘very difficult’ to beat once he got up to speed. Their relationship would sour as a rivalry developed, but those early encounters highlighted a mutual respect.