Rivals refuse to write off Marquez

With Marc Marquez having won only one race this there has been plenty of talk that the reigning world champion won’t be able to successfully defend his crown. Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, the top two in the championship, chimed in with their opinions with both saying that to discount Marquez at this point of the season would be foolish.

“For me, is very early to say,” said Rossi. “He’s a little bit behind in the championship, also because he don’t have the 20 point of Argentina, and after the first 3 races I hear also that Jorge was in crisis, and now he won 2 races in a row. This can happen also to Marc because he’s a world champion, two times, and he’s a rider with an incredible amount of talent. So he can arrive in Mugello and win without any surprise.”

Jorge Lorenzo also offered his opinion and refused to write off Marquez’ title hope with the Spaniard saying:

“I was very far from Valentino before the Jerez race, and some people said I was in crisis,” added Lorenzo. “Probably some of them they’re going to say Marquez is in crisis because of these races. But you know myself, Marc, Valentino, we have the talent, and we have to wait for all circumstances to be on the right way. And Marc is going to come, is going to win race, is going to be competitive in the future.”

The start of the season hasn’t been easy for Marquez and it will be difficult for him to get histitle bid back on track next weekend at Mugello. The scene of the Italian Grand Prix should suit the Yamaha with the track requiring high corner speeds and maintaining momentum rather than heavy braking and acceleration, the strong points of the Honda, and with Lorenzo and Rossi having been the dominant riders at the Tuscan venue over the last 15 years there’s little reason to expect them to offer Marquez a glimmer of hope.