Chicho Lorenzo says Marquez has qualities Rossi lacked

Chicho Lorenzo, father of five-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo, has assessed Marc Marquez's place among the sport's greatest riders. Speaking on the Fast & Curious podcast, he judged champions not only by their numbers but also by the quality of the rivals they faced.

Lorenzo traced the sport's history from Mick Doohan through to Valentino Rossi, noting that Rossi was winning almost every other race until 2009 before the arrival of strong rivals such as Dani Pedrosa, Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo. He said Marquez then had to beat some of the greatest riders in history, and described his early arrival, personality, approach to racing and work ethic as exceptional. He also pointed to the injuries and operations Marquez later endured before returning to win the world championship.

Lorenzo described Marquez's achievements as historic, adding that he did not know how many other athletes could have done what he did.