I think one thing that can't really be argued is that Marquez has probably singlehandedly changed the riding style of MotoGP more than anyone has since Sheene. Rossi had a very neutral style throughout his dominant years, and Lorenzo's was very smooth and Neutral also, Stoner didn't use loads of front end trust and use to slide the rear to unload the front. The amazing front end elbow saving style is without doubt changing the way they all ride, especially given it's in an era on inferior Michelin front tyres compared to the Bridgestone (MOTOGP Tech Editors words not mine)
Aye there's a lot in that, though the "Rossi rudder" / "Doctor's dangle" etc was an innovation which many other riders adopted.
I'm no MM fan. But I do not hate him. I repect every single rider. But we need a boogey man and MM serves this purpose well. I'd be more than hospitable and respectful in the unlikely event we met. But I am a VR46 fanboy. But all the guys racing are doing something I admire greatly and hence they all have my utmost respect.
Good to see Rossi training with all the academy this week at misano wonder how far off pace he is these days. They do look like they enjoy each others company.
Cant say im his biggest fan as a rider on track but as Aleix said after the Styrian GP last year you cant really blame 93 anymore, its the powers that be that let him get away with what he has and continues to do. Aleix Espargaro angry with MotoGP stewards after Marc Marquez clash (autosport.com)
Probably will not win more championships than anyone else now...but surely the most naturally talented rider, probably ever.
IMO, Casey Stoner probably deserves that accolade more than Marquez. Stoner’s career was much shorter but he won 2 titles with 2 different manufacturers. Something Marquez hasn’t done and is now very unlikely to do. Andy
Disagree there. Lorenzo won more championships than Stoner riding in the same era but for less years. Marquez was wiping the floor with everyone from his first year in Motogp. Stoner never did that.
5 riders have won world championships for two different manufacturers in the senior catagory, Geoff Duke for Norton and Gilera, Giacomo Agostini for MV Augusta and Yamaha, Eddie Lawson for Yamaha and Honda, Valentino Rossi for Honda and Yamaha and Casey Stoner for Ducati and Honda. For all Marquez’s raw talent, neither he or Lorenzo have (or will IMO) achieved that. If you want to go into statistics, Giacomo Agostini won 7 world championships on a 350cc and 8 championships on a 500cc two-stroke. He also raced and won at the IoM TT. There is talent and IMO, your Goat. Andy
They’re all talented and we all have our favourites! For me none of the above could hold a candle to Surtees, followed closely by Hailwood, don’t think any of em could do world titles on twoand four wheels!
On that we can agree Andy, It’s hard to argue against Agostini. 15 world championships and the overall career and influence on the sport that he had does mark him out as the goat imo. I stand by my point though that I’ve never seen anybody ride a bike like Marquez does. He’s always on the limit or way over it & he’s been the most exciting racer I’ve ever seen. Put him on a factory Ducati & he’d be untouchable again in my opinion.
