Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez is edging closer to his arch nemesis Valentino Rossi’s records in MotoGP after his incredible 2025 season with Ducati.
The latter may have long retired from motorcycle racing, but Rossi’s intense rivalry with Marquez is still felt in the sport. The pair created long-standing friction between them and their fanbases during their careers, sparked by Rossi’s infamous ‘kick’ at Sepang in 2015.
While the Doctor moved on to car racing, the Ant of Cervera has stayed to fight back to the top of MotoGP. After a hard-fought comeback from years of injury setbacks, Marquez achieved it in 2025, equalling Rossi for seven premier class titles.
Aside from Marc Marquez, who is Valentino Rossi’s greatest MotoGP rival?
Comment below!
Marquez was honoured to equal Rossi this year, and he could surpass him in 2026. Winning the championship will see him equal Giacomo Agostini for the most premier class titles of all time.
With 73 wins, the Spaniard is also only 17 more victories away from beating Rossi’s record. It could be achieved in 2026, but that would take some doing in a 22-race season, and even if and when he achieves it, Pol Espargaro does not think he will stop there.
Pol Espargaro doesn’t think Marc Marquez will be ‘satisfied’ beating Valentino Rossi’s records
Speaking to AS, Marquez’s former Honda teammate does not think that Marquez will be satisfied beating his rival’s record. Espargaro can see him carrying on as he is driven by passion, not results.
Asked who Marquez will be fighting against after 2025, he replied: “The same thing he’s been fighting against, I think, his entire career: against himself, against his own ambition and his own challenges.
“Márquez is one of those elite athletes who manages these things brilliantly, but who is very difficult to manage. When you already have everything, what’s the point? To go for more. If you already have it, what’s going to change from nine to ten, from ten to eleven titles?
When will Marc Marquez beat Valentino Rossi’s MotoGP records?
“Well, perhaps his current challenge is to surpass Valentino Rossi, to be the rider in history with the most world titles. But then, what happens?
“Well, I’m one of those who thinks he won’t be satisfied, he’ll keep going, because this is what he loves and it’s what makes him who he is, and as long as he can, he’ll keep doing what he does.
“Marc isn’t the kind of guy who’s driven by results or by those small challenges, which for him are surely small, but rather by passion, by winning, by ambition, and that’s it, nothing more.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Marc Marquez from net worth to girlfriend
Marc Marquez beating Valentino Rossi’s record will dominate MotoGP in 2026
Marquez will retire when there is a stronger rider than him, according to Livio Suppo. Until then, many of his close allies believe that he will continue to compete, so long as he has the passion for it.
Previously, it was said that Rossi’s entourage were worried about Marquez and how close he was getting to his records. Now, the Spaniard has the chance to usurp him with the title in 2026.
Luca Marini never understood the ‘fuss’ with Rossi and Marquez’s rivalry. But the fact is that it is a hugely topical issue in MotoGP today, with both sides divided and no signs of reconciliation.
If Marquez surpasses Rossi for MotoGP titles, it will certainly not go down well with the Doctor’s supporters and confidants. If it was not already apparent, his rival would establish himself as arguably the greatest rider of all time.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
