Marco Bezzecchi
Marc Marquez has picked out the ‘toughest’ rider he has ever raced against in his MotoGP career.
33-year-old Marquez has already secured legendary status in MotoGP, having won the title in 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2025.
Aside from his premier class crowns, Marquez also won the Moto2 world championship in 2012, as well as the 125cc title in 2010.
During his illustrious career, the Spaniard represented Honda from 2013 to 2023 before joining Ducati in 2024. Marquez recently signed a new deal with Ducati, keeping him with the team until the end of 2028.
In his career, Marquez has faced off against some of the biggest names in MotoGP, but is there one name that stands out?
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Speaking in a recent interview with Italian news outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, Marquez was asked to name his ‘toughest’ opponent.
In response, the 33-year-old admitted that there is ‘more than one’ answer to the question.
However, he went on to first name Jorge Lorenzo before mentioning fellow seven-time MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi.
Marquez stated that Lorenzo was the toughest rider on the grid when he first joined the world championship.
However, later on, he realised that Rossi was the ‘better’ rider, citing the Italian’s impressive numbers.
Marquez said: “There’s more than one answer to that question. When I arrived in the World Championship, the toughest was Lorenzo, because he was the best at that time.
“But Valentino was also on the track—and the numbers show that, overall, he was better than Lorenzo.”
It is well documented that Marquez and Rossi do not see eye to eye, having been involved in an intense rivalry during their time battling on track.
Incidents in Australia, Malaysia and Argentina are just some of the flash points that created one of MotoGP’s most heated rivalries.
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Looking ahead, Marquez will have a new teammate after it was confirmed that Francesco Bagnaia will leave Ducati at the end of the 2026 season.
In turn, current KTM rider and rising star Pedro Acosta will join Ducati, when asked about the youngster’s arrival, Marquez admitted that it is ‘natural’ someone younger and faster would come along.
He explained: “No one is invincible. If he beats me, it’ll just be what happens to everyone: one day, someone younger comes along and performs better than you. But we’ll start talking about that next winter.”
Aside from Acosta, Marquez believes that Fermin Aldeguer, David Alonso and Maximo Quiles will be the ones to watch in the future.
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