Lorenzo says Rossi excluded from GOAT debate if Marquez wins

Three-time MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo has said Valentino Rossi will not factor into the greatest of all time debate if Marc Marquez wins his eighth premier class title this season. Marquez holds a 60-point lead in the standings after a win and second place at the Qatar Grand Prix, and needs only to win the sprint at the Portuguese Grand Prix to secure the title.

A title would level Marquez with Giacomo Agostini on eight premier class championships and surpass Rossi's nine titles across all classes. Lorenzo, speaking with TNT Sports, said a real debate would arise between Marquez and Agostini, and that Marquez would undoubtedly be the greatest of the modern era. He described Marquez as the best ever in terms of technique and riding, while noting that a crash at Mandalika had weakened him physically.

Lorenzo's view is shaped by his rivalry with Rossi when they were Yamaha team-mates. Rossi has said Marquez was only trying to make Lorenzo lose the 2015 title, a claim Rossi has continued to stand by.