Marc Marquez: Lorenzo biggest title threat in 2015

Marc Marquez believes the biggest threat to his hopes of securing a third successive MotoGP world title in 2015 will come from Yamaha rival Jorge Lorenzo.

Lorenzo’s challenge in 2014 evaporated quickly with a first lap crash out of the lead in the season’s opening round in Qatar that was followed by a humiliating jump-start in Texas.

After just two races of the season, Lorenzo trailed Marquez by 44-points as the Repsol Honda rider went onto win the opening 10 races of a dominant campaign.

Marquez eventually wrapped up his second premier class crown with three races remaining, while Lorenzo was third in the final rankings and a massive 99-points behind his compatriot.

Lorenzo’s retirement in a rain-hit final race in Valencia was the first time in 10 races that he missed the podium and it was his brilliant revival that has prompted Marquez to signal him out as the biggest threat in 2015.

In an exclusive interview in the recent issue of MCN Sport, Marquez said he is more worried about Lorenzo than the threat posed by a resurgent Valentino Rossi or Repsol Honda teammate Dani Pedrosa.

Marquez told MCN Sport: “Lorenzo’s biggest mistake was the first part of the season, especially until Mugello because after that he was strong. But he lost so many points before that it was always going to be hard to get those points back. You never know with Valentino. I didn’t expect his level. I expected more like last year (2013) but he will be there because his motivation is there and Dani is always constant. Maybe he won’t be better or worse than you but he will always be there and you need to pay attention with him. But I expect Jorge will be the strongest rival.”