Marco Bezzecchi
Jorge Lorenzo says his former MotoGP rival Marc Marquez is now a more ‘complete’ rider than he used to be.
Lorenzo was the reigning world champion when Marquez reached MotoGP in 2013. The Ant of Cervera immediately dethroned him, prevailing in a three-way tussle that also involved Dani Pedrosa.
Lorenzo remains one of only two riders to beat a fully-fit Marquez in MotoGP, having won his third and final title in 2015. The other, Jorge Martin, was riding a superior Ducati motorcycle.
Marc Marquez, 2019 – the greatest motorcycle racing season ever?
Marquez and Lorenzo became teammates in 2019, but it wasn’t the ‘dream team’ that it promised to be on paper. The latter, who suffered a serious injury mid-season, never felt comfortable on the Honda bike.
Jorge Lorenzo says Marc Marquez is more ‘precise’ than he once was
Speaking to Cosimo Curatola of MOW, Lorenzo described Marquez’s form during pre-season testing as ‘scary’. It was his first time back on a MotoGP bike since his Indonesian GP injury last October, but he set the pace on day one.
Marquez was outpaced later in the test, but is still content with his form after such a long lay-off. Lorenzo says Ducati are in ominous shape as they seek to extend their dominance.
Looking at Marquez more generally, Lorenzo observed that he had become more ‘precise’ and sensible on the motorcycle. The ‘explosive’ but risky style of his earlier years is no more.
Are we now seeing a different Marc Marquez?
“It’s scary, it’s scary because after his injury, on a circuit that’s one of his favourites, and on the first day, at the end of the day, he’s first,” said Lorenzo.
“The Ducati is scary too, because we’re also seeing Di Giannantonio going really fast, so the combination is really scary.
“It’s certain that, as you say, Marc is no longer the explosive rider who used to break away, who seemed like a madman who would throw himself into the corner and end up making the turn.
“Now he’s precise, he never makes mistakes, so he’s learned from everyone and everything. He’s a super complete rider.”
Where did Marc Marquez rank for crashes in 2025?
Marquez crashed 14 times in 18 weekends last year, down from 24 at Gresini the previous season. That ranked him in the middle of the pack (12th).
The timing of those crashes is also important. Only Yamaha’s Alex Rins (one) recorded fewer DNFs than Marquez’s three last season (among full-time riders).
The Spaniard crashed while leading the Americas GP and the Misano Sprint, but those were his only high-profile errors. This is arguably a sign of maturity.
Now, when victory is out of Marquez’s reach, he is more tactical, rather than overriding the bike and risking a healthy haul of points.
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