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Even though Valentino Rossi retired from MotoGP back in 2021, Marc Marquez is still waging an indirect battle with the legendary Italian. That is according to rider coach Fonsi Nieto, who believes the drive to surpass "The Doctor" is what fuels the Spaniard to compete at the highest level despite a grueling history of severe injuries.
Rossi remains Marquez’s greatest career rival. Their infamous on-track clash in 2015 derailed the Italian's championship bid and ignited a controversy that still divides fans today. More than a decade later, the two aces are tied with nine world titles each, seven of which were won in the premier class.
Marquez currently finds himself in a strong position to pull ahead with a tenth crown. The Ducati rider holds a 10-point lead atop the overall standings ahead of Jorge Martin, who suffered a wrist injury. Marquez has also endured a series of serious injuries and surgeries, but Nieto insists it is the pursuit of Rossi’s records that keeps him from giving up.
"I think that's his day-to-day motivation with his shoulder and arm in that state. Waking up every day to train, with all the sacrifice and dedication it requires, demands massive motivation. All great athletes find it in their rivals. History is full of examples—Rossi vs. Biaggi, Larry Bird vs. Magic Johnson. The true legends have always had a rival who pushed them to become who they are," Nieto told Spanish newspaper AS.
Nieto, nephew of motorcycle racing icon Angel Nieto, pointed to Marquez's shoulder problems that led to a dramatic crash at Le Mans and subsequent double surgery. Following his comeback, the Spanish rider managed to overturn a massive 102-point deficit in the championship hunt.
What makes Marquez virtually unbeatable on track
Nieto did not hold back his praise for Marquez's riding ability, hailing him as the most impressive competitor in history when it comes to raw on-track performance:
"I raced in MotoGP for seven or eight years, and I've seen him do things that defy the laws of physics. He enters a corner and you expect him to run wide on exit, but he doesn't. On the next lap, it looks like he’s going to go off track again, yet he somehow keeps the bike planted. He brakes on the absolute limit, and his saves in critical moments are unique. Marc genuinely defies physics at times."
After concluding his Grand Prix racing career, Nieto transitioned into coaching and played a key role in Jorge Martin's 2024 MotoGP championship triumph. The coach highlighted what he considers to be Marquez's sole vulnerability:
"To me, Marc has only one weakness, and that is his ego. That's when he can make mistakes. I don't see many flaws in his riding, but when someone matches his aggression, he gets angry. It's those aggressive overtakes and hard maneuvers that manage to get under his skin."
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