Schwantz: Marquez has got inside Lorenzo’s head

Kevin Schwantz believes Jorge Lorenzo’s nightmare start to 2014 is a direct result of the breathtaking performances from Spanish rival and reigning world champion Marc Marquez.

Repsol Honda rider Marquez heads to the third race in Argentina this weekend undefeated after brilliant victories in Qatar and Austin.

In stark contrast, Factory Yamaha rider Lorenzo has endured a forgettable start and already trails Marquez by a massive 44-points.

Lorenzo crashed out of the lead on the first lap in Qatar last month and he then blew his podium hopes at the Circuit of the Americas with an embarrassing jump-start.

The subsequent ride through pit lane penalty saw the double MotoGP world champion recover to 10th, but it so unusual to see successive blunders from the normally unflappable Spaniard.

Suzuki legend and 1993 world 500cc champion Schwantz said it was Marquez’s stunning victory in Qatar in his first ride for six weeks after breaking his right leg in a pre-season training accident that would have immediately demoralised Lorenzo.

Schwantz told MCN: “Marc has been in Lorenzo’s head since he crashed in Qatar and Marc won. Lorenzo is watching a kid who is not 100% fit after his broken leg and dominating.  When Marc is 100% I think it will get worse for all of them. He is learning at such a high level that he is doing things and staying on the bike when I’d be getting ready to jump off. Nothing fazes him and until he does something that hurts him nothing will faze him. At 21 you are ten foot tall and bullet proof. I know that feeling.”

“If I were Lorenzo or (Dani) Pedrosa I’d try roughing him up in every practice session, I’d brake up the inside and move him over onto the kerb and try and get into his head. Right now nobody is in his head. Watching what Jorge did at the start (in Texas) was 100% because of Marc Marquez. I said he was untouchable after Qatar. That kid had not tested for six weeks and the first time he got on the bike he won and I thought those other guys are in big trouble.” 

“The more confidence and fitness he gets he is going to be kicking everybody’s ass. He looks so comfortable and I was talking to Wayne Rainey about this because Marc is so comfortable at 110%.  He is not the guy who rides at 90 or 95% and then goes ‘I need a fast qualifying lap over the limit.’ Marc is 110% on every lap, riding on the edge all the time.  I have never seen anything like it.”