Marc Marquez says breaking Rossi’s title record no longer matters as career priorities shift
Updated: 21:04, 03 Jul
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Andrew McLarneyMotoGP Reporter
Andrew McLarney is a MotoGP reporter for GPBlog. With four years experience as a professional writer across the sports and video game industries, his experience as a K1 Premier League competitor evolved into a fascination with all forms of combat sport and eventually motorsport — with MotoGP becoming his primary focus. On top of that he is also an avid follower of MXGP and AMA Supercross as well as F1 and GT racing.
Marc Marquez has confirmed that he no longer cares about surpassing Valentino Rossi's title count, despite the fact that it was major motivation for him earlier in his career.
The admission is just the latest example of Marquez's shift in mindset since his crash in Le Mans earlier this year. The 33-year old has already matched Rossi's tally of seven premier class titles, but one more would cement Marquez as the undisputed king of the modern era in many people's minds. The tribalistic rivalry between their fanbases still continues to this day, and on the track it is very much the same as evidenced by last weekend's Dutch Grand Prix at Assen.
Having one more title or another isn't going to change my life.- Marc Marquez
Marquez, who currently sits equal with 'The Doctor' behind Giacomo Agostini's record, has made no secret of the fact that he is approaching the end of his career. Despite a recent contract extension with Ducati, Marquez's mindset has undoubtedly shifted more towards preservation than chasing any further records. After all, the #93 has already proven himself to be an all-time legend, not just in MotoGP but as an athlete in general.
Marquez: 'It wouldn't make sense to think about something like that anymore.'
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Speaking with GP Blog at the Dutch Grand Prix in Assen, Rossi was asked about his rivalry with Valentino Rossi and whether it was the toughest rider he has ridden against.
"This question has more than one answer." answered Marquez, "When I arrived at the World Championship, the strongest was Jorge Lorenzo because he was the best at that time. But on the track there was also Valentino Rossi, who, in absolute terms, and the numbers say so, was better than Lorenzo."
As for trying to surpass Rossi's title number, Marquez admitted that it is no longer something that motivates him. As reported by GP Blog earlier in the year, he also admitted that his incredible 2025 comeback with Ducati marked the biggest challenge of his career, and with that achieved, he is now looking to simply enjoy the remaining years of his MotoGP career, whether or not it breaks any further records:
"If you had asked me five years ago, I would have definitely said yes. I would have answered that I was trying to reach them [Rossi & Agostini]." said Marquez, "But after what I went through between 2020 and 2023, for me it's a gift simply to be here. And, therefore, it wouldn't make sense to think about something like that anymore. Now I consider it an honor and a gift every time I see my name in any record ranking alongside those of Agostini and Valentino.
"Having one more title or another isn't going to change my life. I finally found peace with myself last year in Motegi, when I proved to myself that I was still capable of winning. I absolutely didn't want to end my career with the consequences of my mistake in 2020, when I tried to come back too soon. I won again, and now I'm doing well."
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