Jorge Lorenzo has opened up about his initial challenges in accepting Marc Marquez’s aggressive riding style when Marquez made his MotoGP debut in 2013. As the upcoming 2025 season approaches, observers anticipate the tension between Marquez and reigning double world champion Francesco Bagnaia to unfold, with Ducati fielding what many consider its strongest factory team lineup yet.
Lorenzo and Marquez were fierce rivals in the early years of Marquez’s career. And Lorenzo admitted that he found Marquez’s approach to racing difficult to accept at the time. “In 2013, I didn’t accept his way of racing, which was very aggressive. Now he has a bit more respect towards his rivals,” Lorenzo said during the Festival dello Sport in Italy. He noted that the sport has evolved, with stricter regulations now in place compared to a decade ago.
Despite the challenges, Lorenzo praised Marquez’s competitive spirit, stating, “He is a beast on a sporting level. Since 2010, he has had very bad luck in terms of his physical condition. Without those problems, he would have won at least two or three more world championships.”
Looking back on his own career, Lorenzo transitioned to Ducati in 2017 after a successful tenure with Yamaha, where he secured all of his premier class titles. However, his time with Ducati started off slow, with only three podium finishes in his debut season. Just as he was finding his stride on the Desmosedici, winning three-races in 2018, Lorenzo announced he would leave team.
Reflecting on his Ducati experience, Lorenzo expressed regret over not winning a title with the Italian manufacturer. “Now it is the best bike; it has no weak points,” he said. “Fate brought us together at Ducati. I was very sorry not to have won a title with the Italian brand. I am convinced that, if I had stayed two more years, we would have won it.”
After Lorenzo’s departure, Danilo Petrucci took his place for the 2019 season and went on to win two grands prix with Ducati over the next two years.
As the MotoGP landscape continues to evolve, Lorenzo’s insights into the rivalries and team dynamics provide a fascinating perspective on the challenges and triumphs that define the sport.
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