MARQUEZ SAYS PEDROSA HAD MORE TALENT THAN MANY MOTOGP CHAMPIONS

Marc Marquez has praised Dani Pedrosa’s ability and argued that the former Honda teammate deserved far more recognition in MotoGP, saying many world champions had only “half the talent” of the Spaniard.

The comments came in DAZN’s Decoded documentary series, in an episode examining Pedrosa’s career and character. Although Pedrosa won 31 premier-class Grands Prix across a career spanning nearly two decades, he never claimed the MotoGP title. He is often considered one of the sport’s finest riders not to become champion, having competed against a remarkable group that included Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Casey Stoner and Marquez.

Marquez spent the first six seasons of his MotoGP career alongside Pedrosa at Honda. He won five championships during that period, while Lorenzo took the title in 2015. Looking back at Pedrosa’s failure to secure the premier-class crown, Marquez called it “one of the most unfair things about MotoGP”. He added: “Many riders have a championship and half the talent of Dani. Whenever I see him, I try to ask him for advice.”

The reigning champion also singled out Pedrosa’s riding technique and the physical challenges he overcame. At 158cm tall and weighing about 51kg, Pedrosa was among the smallest and lightest riders in the category. Marquez said: “Dani had a physical limitation that, without technique, is impossible to overcome on these bikes. There will never be another like him.” He described watching Pedrosa as “a masterclass in how to ride a Honda” and said that what his former teammate achieved on a MotoGP bike was something “only he can do”.

Marquez has also credited Pedrosa with helping him understand how to win at Brno. After his victory at the 2026 Czech Grand Prix, he paid tribute to his compatriot, recalling the lessons he took from their fierce battles at the circuit in 2013 and 2014.