Marc Marquez vs Valentino Rossi: Who Truly Deserves the MotoGP GOAT Title?

Robert Starling    Thursday, June 19, 2025    Comment   

Marc Marquez vs Valentino Rossi: Who Truly Deserves the MotoGP GOAT Title?

Marc Marquez vs Valentino Rossi: Who Truly Deserves the MotoGP GOAT Title?

When it comes to the debate about the greatest MotoGP rider of all time, two names dominate the conversation—Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez. Both are legends in their own right, but comparing them isn’t easy. They raced in the same era long enough for a fierce rivalry to build, yet each had very different strengths and challenges.

Let’s dive into what makes this debate so compelling, with insights from former racers and MotoGP experts.

Two Eras, Two Icons, One Ultimate Goal

Valentino Rossi burst onto the scene in the late 1990s and quickly became a global superstar. Known for his flamboyant style, unforgettable celebrations, and massive fanbase, he helped transform MotoGP into a worldwide spectacle.

Marc Marquez, on the other hand, entered MotoGP in 2013 like a storm—aggressive, fearless, and unbelievably skilled. While Rossi charmed the crowds, Marquez shocked his competitors with technical mastery and daring moves.

The Experts Weigh In

In a TNT Sports feature, three former riders — Cal Crutchlow, Neil Hodgson, and James Toseland — discussed who truly deserves the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) title between Rossi and Marquez.

Cal Crutchlow: “Marc’s braking skills are next level”

Crutchlow, who rode alongside Marquez at Honda (in the satellite LCR Honda team), said the most impressive thing about Marc is his incredible brake control.

“His front brake control was unmatched,” Crutchlow said.

“When the front was locking, instead of backing off, Marc leaned even more into the corner. That’s not normal. No one else could do that.”

James Toseland: “Rossi was more than a racer – he was a showman”

Toseland, a two-time World Superbike Champion, highlighted Rossi’s ability to attract fans beyond his racing talent.

“Racing is also entertainment,” Toseland said.

“And no one did it better than Rossi – his charisma, his personality, his timing with TV coverage. He was golden for MotoGP.”

Neil Hodgson: “They raced each other — and Marc won more”

Hodgson made a critical point: Rossi and Marquez didn’t just race in different eras — they actually shared the track from 2013 to 2021.

“Marquez came in as a rookie and beat Rossi, who was still in top form,” Hodgson said.

“In direct battles, Marc came out on top more often. That’s why, for me, Marquez is the GOAT.”

Who's the Real GOAT?

It all comes down to perspective:

• If you value charisma, fan connection, and global influence, Valentino Rossi takes the crown.

• If you admire raw talent, innovation, and dominance on track, Marc Marquez might just be your pick.

Even among the experts, opinions are divided. Crutchlow and Hodgson leaned towards Marquez, while Toseland praised Rossi’s unmatched influence.

Greatness is More Than Just Numbers

In the end, greatness in MotoGP isn’t only about titles and stats. It’s about how a rider changes the sport, inspires others, and leaves a legacy. Rossi and Marquez both did that—just in very different ways.

So maybe the real answer is: We’re lucky to have witnessed them both.

Ducati Teases Renaissance-Inspired Special Livery for Mugello MotoGP 2025: Marquez and Bagnaia to Ride as "Modern Knights"

Robert Starling    Thursday, June 19, 2025    Comment   

Ducati Teases Renaissance-Inspired Special Livery for Mugello MotoGP 2025: Marquez and Bagnaia to Ride as "Modern Knights"

Ducati Teases Renaissance-Inspired Special Livery for Mugello MotoGP 2025: Marquez and Bagnaia to Ride as "Modern Knights".

This weekend’s Italian Grand Prix at Mugello won’t just be about racing—Ducati Lenovo Team is adding an artistic twist by teasing a special livery for their factory riders Francesco Bagnaia and current championship leader Marc Marquez. And this year, the inspiration isn’t about sports tournaments—it's about history and heritage.

Ducati Goes Renaissance at Mugello

In a teaser posted on their official social media accounts, Ducati hinted at a unique and sparkling design with the tagline:

“Italian excellence, made of art and ingenuity.”

The new livery is said to be a tribute to the Italian Renaissance, which originated in Florence—just 55km (34 miles) from the Autodromo Internazionale del Mugello. Bagnaia and Marquez are being portrayed as “modern knights” riding through history in machines inspired by legends like Leonardo da Vinci and Niccolò Machiavelli.

“Leonardo. Machiavelli. Two souls. Two visions. Now reborn in racing form.”

No official images of the livery have been revealed yet, but it is expected to be unveiled on Saturday night or Sunday morning, just ahead of race day.

Mugello: Ducati’s Winning Playground

Let’s talk records—Francesco Bagnaia has owned Mugello for the past three seasons, winning the Grand Prix three years in a row. He’s also claimed victory in both Sprint races held at the circuit. That makes him the rider to beat at this track.

On the other hand, Marc Marquez arrives with only one MotoGP win at Mugello, back in 2014 during his legendary 10-race winning streak. But in 2025, he comes in as the championship leader, holding a 32-point lead over his brother Alex Marquez, who has had success at this track too—though in Moto2, including a race win.

From National Blue to Historical Gold

Last year, Ducati showed up in blue livery to honor Italy's national teams ahead of the UEFA Euro and the Olympics. With no major international sports events this summer, Ducati went a different route—celebrating Florentine history and artistic genius.

The Renaissance was a time of revolutionary ideas, innovation, and beauty. Now, Ducati wants to channel that same spirit on the racetrack, fusing heritage and high-performance racing.

Of Course, the Monster Claw Remains

Even with all the artistry and elegance of the Renaissance, one modern brand still leaves its mark—the iconic green Monster Energy claw is expected to remain on the bikes, giving the livery a bold, edgy contrast.

With Marquez’s consistent form and Bagnaia’s domination at Mugello, Ducati fans are expecting more than just pretty bikes—they’re hoping for another 1-2 finish.

Ducati is once again proving that MotoGP is not just a race—it’s an experience. With a Renaissance-themed livery inspired by Florence, the team brings together art, history, and speed in one unforgettable package.

Make sure to tune in on June 22, 2025, for what could be one of the most memorable MotoGP races of the season—both on and off the track.

Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta Talk About Their Aragon MotoGP Sprint Contact — What Really Happened?

Robert Starling    Sunday, June 08, 2025    Comment   

Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta Talk About Their Aragon MotoGP Sprint Contact — What Really Happened?

Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta Talk About Their Aragon MotoGP Sprint Contact — What Really Happened?

So, during the Aragon MotoGP sprint race, there was this moment where Marc Marquez and Pedro Acosta bumped into each other heading into Turn 1. It got a lot of people talking, but both riders have now shared their side of the story — and it’s pretty chill.

Here’s the deal: right at the start, Marquez and Acosta made contact, but neither of them is pointing fingers or calling it dirty. Marquez called it a “racing incident” — nothing unusual in his book.

He explained that he was a bit behind and had to brake super hard because if he didn’t, the front and rear parts of his bike wouldn’t be in the right spots. He added that stuff like this happens a lot when someone has a rough start and others come in faster, especially at Aragon’s tricky Turn 1.

On the other hand, Acosta said Marquez didn’t have the best start, and he was coming in too fast. He thinks Marquez maybe tried to go left and caught him off guard. “We just kind of hit each other — that’s racing,” Acosta said. “Nothing weird about it.”

Even after the contact, Marquez dropped to fourth but quickly moved ahead of Acosta and eventually won the sprint on Saturday.

Marquez also talked about his Ducati bike spec, wondering how it stacks up against the newer 2024 models ridden by his brother Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer — who are pretty competitive this season.

Right now, Marc Marquez leads the MotoGP standings by 24 points over his younger brother Alex. Meanwhile, Acosta qualified fifth and finished the sprint in that same spot, making him the top rider not on a Ducati.

So yeah, the little bump between Marquez and Acosta? Just part of the race drama. No hard feelings — just good racing and some solid battles on the track.

Maverick Vinales “Riding Like the Top Guys” Despite Struggling with Highsides in Aragon Qualifying

Robert Starling    Sunday, June 08, 2025    Comment   

Maverick Vinales “Riding Like the Top Guys” Despite Struggling with Highsides in Aragon Qualifying

Maverick Vinales “Riding Like the Top Guys” Despite Struggling with Highsides in Aragon Qualifying.

Maverick Vinales had a pretty solid run in the Aragon MotoGP Sprint, finishing seventh—about 7.2 seconds behind the winner, Marc Marquez. Not bad, considering the rough start he had.

In the first four laps, Vinales lost a bunch of time—like 5.6 seconds—mainly because qualifying didn’t go his way, and he lost ground right from the opening lap.

But once he got some clear air, Vinales really showed what he’s capable of. He posted the third-fastest lap, only behind Marc and Alex Marquez, and ended up just 2.5 seconds behind Fermin Aldeguer, who grabbed the last podium spot.

“I don’t really know why, but during qualifying, we ended up on two tires that just didn’t work well for me,” Vinales explained.

“We have all the data, and it’s pretty clear. Compared to yesterday, the differences were tiny — like 0.1 seconds here and there — but that would’ve been enough to get me starting in P4.”

He went on to talk about the scary highsides he nearly had during the warm-up laps: “On the out lap, I almost highsided twice. I thought maybe I just needed to warm up the tires better. But on the first and second laps, boom, highside again.”

“I believed the second tire had a lot of potential — especially on the right side, it felt amazing,” he added.

“But then at turn 10, highside. Turn 17, highside again. That cost me about three-tenths, which could’ve put me on the second row.”

Still, once the race started, Vinales found a good rhythm. “Lap 9 was a 47.1, which felt really strong. Whenever I had some space, I was riding like the top guys. I caught up to Diggia and the group ahead, so the bike was definitely working well.”

“And that’s a positive sign for tomorrow because I feel really good on the medium rear tire. We won’t change anything for Sunday.”

Team manager Nicolas Goyon gave some encouraging words too: “Maverick’s back to the level he was at before Silverstone, but more importantly, he’s happy with the bike setup and how it handles. So we’re confident he can keep building on this for the rest of the weekend.”

On the KTM side, Pedro Acosta led the pack in fifth place, just 1.1 seconds ahead of Vinales. Meanwhile, teammate Enea Bastianini had a tougher day, finishing 17th.

“It was another tough day for us. We tried pushing more in qualifying to get closer to the front, but nothing really clicked,” Bastianini said, still struggling with his RC16 when releasing the front brake in corners.

Marc Marquez Says He’s Riding the Same Ducati as His Teammates — Here’s What’s Up

Robert Starling    Sunday, June 08, 2025    Comment   

Marc Marquez Says He’s Riding the Same Ducati as His Teammates — Here’s What’s Up

Marc Marquez Says He’s Riding the Same Ducati as His Teammates — Here’s What’s Up.

Marc Marquez, the guy leading the 2025 MotoGP championship, just snagged his seventh sprint race win of the season at Aragon. What’s interesting? He was the only factory Ducati rider to finish in the top five, but he insists he’s on the “exact same bike” as his teammates.

So, how did it go down? Marquez turned his pole position into a solid sprint win, beating Alex Marquez from Gresini by a little over two seconds. Even though he had a rough start and dropped back early, he took the lead on lap six out of eleven and pulled away, widening his points lead to 27 going into Sunday’s main race.

Here’s the kicker — while Marc was crushing it in the top five, the other factory Ducati riders struggled. Fabio Di Giannantonio finished sixth, and Pecco Bagnaia had a rough race, ending up 12th and off the points.

Ducati has already confirmed their factory bikes are running slightly different engines than the full GP24 models, plus small tweaks like the rear ride height device, which is basically an upgrade from last year’s setup. But when asked why he was the only one near the top, Marquez said he honestly doesn’t know — because he’s been told he’s riding the exact same bike as Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer, who finished behind him.

“I’ve asked the engineers many times, and they always tell me the same thing: I’m riding exactly the same bike as Alex, Fermin, and Franco Morbidelli,” Marc said.

He also mentioned that while he rode a different spec bike in Le Mans and Silverstone, he switched back for Aragon because he wanted to be on the same setup as everyone else. He says they’ll have time to test some tweaks in the Monday session.

About his start, Marc admitted he dropped to fourth because of wheelspin on the rear tire — something Ducati is already working on fixing for the main race. When he passed Alex on lap six, he said he locked the front wheel a bit but that was the only way to get past such a fast rider.

“During qualifying, I took a big risk trying to push harder than the tires and bike allowed, and it backfired. I slid around a lot and wasn’t as fast as I wanted, but it was enough for pole,” he explained.

“Then in the sprint, I had full control. I felt connected with the bike the whole time. The pass on Alex did cause some front locking, but to overtake a guy who brakes hard like him, you gotta take those chances.”

There was also a minor clash with Pedro Acosta at Turn 1 right after the start, but Marquez called it a “racing incident.” He said these things happen when one rider has a bad launch and others come in at different speeds — especially at tricky spots like Turn 1 in Aragon.

“I was a bit behind, then I braked hard to get the front and rear devices working properly. Incidents like that happen when speeds are mismatched after a rough start,” he added.

Why Pecco Bagnaia Thinks Testing the Old Ducati GP24 Could Help Fix His GP25 Struggles

Robert Starling    Sunday, June 08, 2025    Comment   

Why Pecco Bagnaia Thinks Testing the Old Ducati GP24 Could Help Fix His GP25 Struggles

Why Pecco Bagnaia Thinks Testing the Old Ducati GP24 Could Help Fix His GP25 Struggles.

Pecco Bagnaia is having a rough 2025 MotoGP season so far, and things didn’t get any easier at the Aragon GP. Even though he qualified fourth, he finished 12th in the sprint race and didn’t score any points. Not the kind of weekend he was hoping for.

So, what’s going on with Pecco and his Ducati GP25? He’s been struggling a lot with front wheel lock-up when braking, which caused him to run wide at Turn 7 during the sprint. He’s honestly a bit lost trying to figure out why the bike isn’t working for him.

Could testing the older GP24 bike help?

When asked if he should try the GP24 bike during the post-race test on Monday, Pecco gave an interesting take. He thinks it might actually be more helpful for another rider — someone who’s still fresh on the GP24 — to test out the GP25 instead.

“I don’t know if switching to the GP24 would really help me because I need to keep riding the ’25 and can’t just swap bikes,” he said. “But maybe a rider like Alex Marquez or Franky Morbidelli trying the ’25 after riding the ’24 could give us more insights. Alex would probably be the best pick for that.”

He also mentioned that everyone on the team is focused on improving the current bike, so trying experiments like this isn’t that easy right now.

Why was Aragon so tough for Pecco?

Pecco admitted he already expected a tough race day because of problems he felt during the morning FP2 session. He just couldn’t get a good feel for the bike.

“In qualifying, I pushed really hard and took some risks to start P4. But during the sprint, I tried everything I could, and still couldn’t really push,” he said.

He struggled a lot with understeer and heavy front wheel lock-up when braking hard. When he tried to brake at the same spot as the rider ahead at Turn 7, the front locked up and he went wide.

Looking ahead to the next race day, Pecco said the team will try some different setups, including switching to medium tires, which might help reduce the understeer.

Still tight with the team despite the struggles

Even though Pecco is now 84 points behind his teammate and championship leader Marc Marquez, he made it clear that his relationship with the Ducati team is solid.

“I don’t get why everyone’s asking if I’m still working with my team. We’re all in this together,” Pecco said. “We know it’s a tough time, but the whole team is working hard to figure out what’s wrong — me on the bike and them behind the scenes.”

Alex Marquez Emerges as a Top Contender at the 2025 British GP, Ready to Challenge for Victory

Robert Starling    Tuesday, May 20, 2025    Comment   

Alex Marquez Emerges as a Top Contender at the 2025 British GP, Ready to Challenge for Victory

Alex Marquez Emerges as a Top Contender at the 2025 British GP, Ready to Challenge for Victory.

This weekend’s MotoGP British Grand Prix at Silverstone is shaping up to be exciting, especially with Alex Marquez stepping into the spotlight. Riding for Gresini Ducati, Alex is seen as a serious threat as he aims to close the points gap in the 2025 MotoGP championship standings.

So far this season, Alex has been one of the fastest riders on the grid. He’s even led the championship twice, showing strong consistency. One of his career highlights came at last year’s Spanish GP, where he took his first MotoGP victory by taking advantage of his brother Marc Marquez crashing out early from a podium spot.

However, it hasn’t been smooth sailing all the way. At the recent French GP in wet conditions at Le Mans, Alex crashed and lost valuable points, which now puts him 22 points behind his older brother Marc in the championship race.

Heading into Silverstone, Marc believes the fast-flowing nature of the British track suits Alex’s riding style perfectly. “We’ve shown good speed at all the circuits,” Marc said. “Qatar was a key race for me, and now at Silverstone, I expect Alex to be super fast there.”

Marc added that Silverstone’s layout, with its flowing corners, should be better for Alex compared to the tricky wet conditions at Le Mans. “It normally fits his riding style better,” he said.

Marc’s goal is to stay close to the top riders and to test the improvements they worked on during the Jerez test. “Let’s see if Silverstone works out, since it’s a completely different track and requires a unique riding style.”

Alex has a solid record at Silverstone on the Gresini Ducati. Last year, he finished sixth in the sprint race and seventh in the main race. In 2023, he impressed by winning the sprint race in wet conditions, marking one of his best Saturday performances.

Even back in 2021, during a tough season on the Honda with LCR, Silverstone was a highlight, as Alex finished eighth — one of his better results that year.

For MotoGP fans, Silverstone is definitely a race to watch, especially to see how Alex Marquez pushes to close the gap and fight for a victory.

Pecco Bagnaia Told to Find the Missing Piece to Stop Marc Marquez in MotoGP 2025

Robert Starling    Sunday, May 04, 2025    Comment   

Pecco Bagnaia Told to Find the Missing Piece to Stop Marc Marquez in MotoGP 2025

Pecco Bagnaia Told to Find the Missing Piece to Stop Marc Marquez in MotoGP 2025.

The 2025 season hasn’t exactly been kind to Pecco Bagnaia, but don’t be fooled—he’s still hanging tight in the standings and hasn’t lost his chance to fight for the MotoGP World Championship.

As Ducati's lead rider, Pecco is only 20 points behind the current leader, Alex Marquez. Not too far off, considering that his teammate Marc Marquez is only 19 points ahead. The issue, however, is that this season hasn’t quite clicked with the GP25 bike.

The good news? Two major crashes for Marc Marquez—one in Texas and the other in Jerez—have opened up opportunities for Pecco and other riders. It’s now all about how they can capitalize on this chance.

Pecco Told to Push Hard After Marc’s Mistakes

MotoGP analysts have started offering advice, with one suggesting that Pecco needs to quickly find a solution that could change his season performance.

“Luckily for Pecco, Marc has made two big mistakes in races. So the situation isn’t as bad as it might seem,” said one analyst.

“If Pecco can figure something out in testing… all the riders are looking for the best setup, but I believe Pecco’s issue lies mainly in his corner entry.”

The problem lies in corner entry, a crucial point in MotoGP. Unfortunately, race weekends aren’t ideal for experimentation due to the high pressure and tight schedules. So the hope is that Pecco can find something in testing, like they did last Monday.

“If Pecco can find that missing piece, after Marc’s two blunders, we could see an even more exciting title fight!”

Hope Still Alive, But Action Is Needed

Although the season has been tough for Pecco, he’s maintaining a positive mindset. Last week at the Spanish GP, he made it to the podium, signaling that his potential is still very much alive. And after the test on Monday, Pecco seemed even more optimistic.

He didn’t reveal exactly what parts he tested, but mentioned he would bring the results to the next race in Le Mans. Unfortunately, the weather during testing prevented him from focusing on bike setup changes and he ended up testing old parts that had been discarded during pre-season. Ironically, those parts are still being used by Marc Marquez!

Is Europe the Deciding Factor?

Now that MotoGP has entered the European phase of the season, Pecco will encounter circuits he knows well. For a rider of his caliber, this could be the opportunity to recover lost points.

Le Mans could be a turning point. If Pecco can find that “missing piece” at the French circuit, it’s not impossible for him to push hard and disrupt the dominance of the Marquez duo.

Who’s the True King?

This season’s races have become even more exciting with the tight standings. Alex Marquez remains at the top, but with a slim margin. And while Marc made mistakes, he has still been consistent in gathering big points.

One thing is clear—MotoGP 2025 is far from over. The racing world is still waiting for Pecco to truly “explode.” He’s admitted that he can’t make overtakes as easily as in previous seasons, but if everything clicks and he finds the right setup for the GP25, the story of this season could change drastically.

So, get ready for an even hotter title battle! Pecco, it’s time to show who the real king of Ducati is!

Joan Mir injured right leg ligament after falling at Austrian GP

Redaksi    Sunday, August 21, 2022    Comment   

Joan Mir injured right leg ligament after falling at Austrian GP

Archive photo - Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo ahead of Suzuki's Joan Mir in the MotoGP Grand Prix de Catalunya race June 6, 2021. (BORNEOTRIBUN/AFP/LLUIS GENE)

BorneoTribun, Austria- 2020 world champion Joan Mir has injured his right leg ligament after falling at Turn 4 of the Red Bull Ring on the first stage of the Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday.

The Suzuki rider will suffer a follow-up medical on Monday to determine the extent of the injury.

Mir hit a highside and bounced off his bike before landing hard in the clay. An original medical check at the circuit revealed the Spaniard's ligament damage.

" I had a bad accident at Turn 4. I lost hinder grip and there was a highside. It could be worse than that, I feel lucky," Mir said in an sanctioned Suzuki platoon statement.

" original checks showed a number of fractures and fractures in my ankle. hereafter I'll have farther checks and an MRI."

Mir knocked out of the main title competition this season after he was ranked 12th standings with a collection of 77 points.

MotoGP will continue to Misano on September 4.

Meanwhile, Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia is feeling the stylish moment of his MotoGP career after picking up a chapeau- trick of three successive triumphs this season in Austria to keep expedients of winning the 2022 world title alive.

Bagnaia held on to third in the standings but cut the gap to catch up with his main rival, Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo who's still in control by a 44- point periphery. (yk/ant)