What if the Marc Marquez who currently dominates MotoGP isn't even the best Marquez he could be? The idea seems almost provocative as the Spaniard closes in on another world title. Yet, it comes from Jorge Lorenzo, five-time world champion and former teammate of number 93 at Honda. According to the Mallorcan, Marquez retains exceptional technical superiority. Even more surprising: the lingering effects of his arm injury are preventing him from fully expressing his talent.
A warning that takes on a special significance before Pedro Acosta's arrival at Ducati in 2027.
Lorenzo on Marquez: He's the Ayrton Senna of motorcycles. »
Lorenzo makes no attempt to downplay his admiration. " Marquez is Marquez : he's the Ayrton Senna of motorcycles, the Max Verstappen of motorcycles . Technically, he's on another level. " The comparison is particularly flattering coming from a former rival.
Senna and Verstappen embody this ability to push the limits of a machine, sometimes beyond what their competitors imagine possible. For Lorenzo, Marquez belongs to this category.
" Since arriving in MotoGP, he has done things that no one else is capable of doing ." The Majorcan is not just talking about achievements, but about a technical ability to make the difference in situations where others reach their limits.
A diminished Marquez… but still superior?
Lorenzo is convinced: " Marc's arm injury slightly reduces his technical advantage over the others. If he were at 100%, he would win much more ." Since his serious accident at Jerez in 2020, Marquez has undergone several surgeries and gone through a long period of physical rehabilitation.
According to Lorenzo , the consequences of this injury continue to limit his potential. However, this is a sporting assessment, not a medical diagnosis that would allow for a precise measurement of his current abilities.
Marquez managed to dominate his opponents even though he no longer possessed all the physical resources that had been his strength. This made his resurgence at Ducati all the more impressive.
Ducati: the best motorcycle, but not necessarily the same result
Lorenzo doesn't underestimate the importance of the Desmosedici. " When he finally had the best bike on the grid again, he made the difference ." After his difficult last seasons with Honda, Marquez has found a machine at Ducati that allows him to fully exploit his talent.
But Lorenzo clearly distinguishes between the quality of the machine and that of the rider. A nuance that becomes more apparent when one observes the difficulties of Francesco Bagnaia , despite being a two-time world champion with Ducati.
Having a competitive bike doesn't guarantee you'll produce the same performance as Marquez . It's precisely this difference that fuels Lorenzo 's admiration.
Acosta in 2027: Talent versus experience
The announced arrival of Pedro Acosta in the official Ducati team promises an exciting confrontation. Lorenzo immediately recognizes the young Spaniard's qualities. " Without a doubt, Acosta is very strong and he's coming in with a lot of force ."
But he believes Marquez still holds the technical advantage. Acosta has youth, aggression, and significant room for improvement. Marquez has experience and an exceptional understanding of the limits of a MotoGP bike.
One major unknown remains: the 2027 regulations. With 850cc engines and Pirelli tires , the two men will have to tame a new generation of machines.
The current hierarchy therefore provides no guarantee for their future confrontation.
So, what do we remember?
- Lorenzo compares Marquez to Senna and Verstappen, considering him an exceptional technical reference.
- He believes that his injured arm still limits his performance, despite his results.
- Acosta represents the big challenge of 2027, in a championship disrupted by new rules.
Lorenzo ultimately sends a twofold message: Marquez remains the rider to beat, and Acosta will have to achieve something exceptional to succeed him. Because if the Mallorcan is right, the most worrying thing for Marquez 's rivals isn't what he's achieving today. It's what he could still achieve in MotoGP with a fully functional arm.
