What milestones can Marc Marquez achieve in 2024?
motogp.com
15 Jan 2024
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Marc Marquez, Gresini Racing MotoGP™, Valencia MotoGP™ Official Test
Ahead of the eight-time World Champion being officially unveiled as a Gresini Racing rider on Saturday, we take a look at the records he could break this season
There’s not long to wait now for Marc Marquez to officially walk out in the colours of Gresini Racing for the very first time, with the eight-time World Champion set to take centre stage along with his brother Alex at the team’s 2024 Presentation on Saturday. Ahead of the big occasion, which you can watch live on motogp.com and across all of our social media channels, we’re taking a look at the potential records the Spaniard can either match or break in the upcoming season.
“No surprise” – M. Marquez’ Ducati stablemates rate his debut
The Spaniard finished as the second fastest Ducati at the Test though it didn’t come as a shock for his peers at the Bologna bullets
MotoGP™ crown with two different manufacturers
Although he might be saying otherwise for the time being, Marquez has his sights firmly set on just one thing in 2024: to taste World Championship success again. In the event of him winning the title with Ducati machinery, the #93 would join a select list of riders who have reigned in the premier class with two different manufacturers: Geoff Duke (Norton and Gilera), Giacomo Agostini (MV Agusta and Yamaha), Eddie Lawson (Yamaha and Honda), Valentino Rossi (Honda and Yamaha), and Casey Stoner (Ducati and Honda).
First ‘Independent’ World Champion in the MotoGP™ era
After Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) and Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) fell short last season, Marquez, riding the GP23, aims to be the first rider to win the title with an Independent Team in the MotoGP™ era, something achieved sparingly in the premier class. In 1978, Kenny Roberts was a pioneer, making history as a rookie with Yamaha USA, initially having more limited equipment than factory riders. In 1981 and 1982, Marco Lucchinelli and Franco Uncini also left their mark with a Suzuki from Roberto Gallina’s team.
In 1989, Eddie Lawson, with three 500cc titles with Yamaha, landed at Honda to work with Erv Kanemoto. With the factory team consisting of Wayne Gardner and Mick Doohan, Lawson moved to Rothmans Honda, although a serious injury to Gardner made HRC focus on the American, who eventually became the Champion. We then had to wait until 2001 for the last none factory rider to win a World title: Valentino Rossi with the Nastro Azzurro team. He secured the last title of the 500cc era before joining the Repsol Honda Team for 2002.
WATCH: Marc Marquez makes eagerly anticipated Ducati debut
After much speculation, the #93 finally got to ride a Desmosedici in Valencia, and it didn’t take him long to post an impressive time
The longest wait
The Doctor has the honour of being one of the riders capable of reclaiming the MotoGP™ title after several seasons without the crown. The Italian reclaimed the World Championship in 2008, after last winning it in 2005. A three-year wait that was mirrored by Jorge Lorenzo – also with Yamaha – from 2012 to 2015. Casey Stoner had more patience to taste glory again, specifically four years, from his title with Ducati (2007) to his conquest with Honda (2011). The challenge for Marquez is even greater. After last enjoying Championship success in 2019, the eight-time champion would regain the crown five years later if he wins his seventh MotoGP™ title in 2024.
Nine
That ninth world title would allow Marquez to equal Rossi, as well as Mike Hailwood and Carlo Ubbiali, with the incredible figure of 9 world titles. On the way to this achievement, the Spaniard will have the opportunity to win at circuits where he has not yet triumphed (Portimao, Red Bull Ring, Indonesia, India, and Kazakhstan). He’s won at 20 different circuits to date, so could match or surpass the likes of Stoner (21 circuits), R
ossi (23), or Doohan (24).
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