Valentino Rossi once saw ‘very strong’ sign Marc Marquez would be a MotoGP champion before his debut

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Valentino Rossi hailed his future nemesis during a press conference ahead of the 2012 Grand Prix of Italy at the Mugello Circuit.

Marc Marquez’s maiden season in MotoGP was one of the most anticipated debuts in the history of the premier class.

Fresh off the back of his success in Moto2 in 2012, where Marquez finished the season by winning from last place on the grid, the Ant of Cervera went on to dominate with the Repsol Honda team as he joined Kenny Roberts as the only riders to win a premier class title in their rookie seasons.

The Spaniard has since gone on to add another six titles to his championship tally, equalling that of Rossi’s glittering 21-year active career.

READ MORE: The ‘desperate’ tactic Valentino Rossi once used against Marc Marquez during intense MotoGP title fight

Valentino Rossi told journalists that Marc Marquez had the potential to win a MotoGP title before his debut

During the pre-event press conference for the 2012 Grand Prix of Italy, Rossi, alongside MotoGP legends of the era such as Jorge Lorenzo, Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa, was asked for his thoughts on the factory Honda team’s decision to sign Marquez for the upcoming season.

The nine-time motorcycle world champion replied, via Motorcycle News, “I like Marquez a lot, he’s very young but he’s already demonstrated that he has the potential of becoming a world champion in the future in MotoGP.

“He’s very strong and very fast, and sometimes he wins difficult races where he isn’t the fastest on the track, and that is so important. To arrive at the Repsol Honda team is fantastic for a rookie, because it’s the best way. So, we’re waiting for him.”

The verdict is in stark contrast to the opinion that the legendary figure now holds of him. Despite that, Marquez still respects his fierce rival Rossi, hailing the Italian after he equalled his title count at the Japanese Grand Prix in September.

READ MORE: Jorge Lorenzo points out what is never ‘mentioned’ about Valentino Rossi’s feud with Marc Marquez

Jorge Lorenzo tipped Marc Marquez to be ‘quite fast’ ahead of his Honda debut in MotoGP

Fellow Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo also chimed in with his opinion of the rider who would go on to clinch the 2012 Moto2 world championship in the ensuing months of the press conference.

Lorenzo told journalists at Mugello during the pre-event press conference for the 2012 Italian Grand Prix, “I think it’s good news for MotoGP, for the championship to have another great rider fighting with us next year.

“I think he’s able to be quite fast from the beginning, from the first race, from the first practice, more or less. And it’s a good couple, no? Dani and Marquez, with the same team and with Spanish sponsors, it’s a good thing for Spain and the championship.”

Lorenzo and Marquez went on to have some thrilling battles during the final years of the former’s tenure in the premier class. As one of the few riders to beat the current Ducati rider, Lorenzo was able to identify the critical weakness of Marquez’s riding style, which he would use to his advantage.