Rossi's Absence Does Not Reduce The Fierce Competition For The MotoGP Title

Valentino Rossi (Twitter @ValleYellow46)

JAKARTA – Marc Marquez believes the future of MotoGP will be fine even without Valentino Rossi. The absence of the Italian rider is considered not to reduce the competition for the title.

The MotoGP season will kick off at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar on Friday, March 4. This is the first season for the highest category of Grand Prix without The Doctor since the 2001 season.

The Doctor's last action was presented when he finished 10th in the 2021 Valencia MotoGP race at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit, Spain, on Sunday 14 November 2021.

Marquez said that the absence of Rossi did not eliminate the excitement on the race track. The reason is, at this time there are many other riders who make the title race continue to be fierce.

"I mean he's not one of the main opponents for the title. In recent years I was looking for the fastest person (who can compete with me)," said Marquez.

“The fastest riders were Pecco [Bagnaia], Quartararo and Joan [Mir] in 2020. Of course MotoGP lost an icon, but MotoGP continues. I think it will be a good season," he continued.

Rossi last competed for the world title in 2015 and 2016 when he lost to the younger Jorge Lorenzo and Marquez. Since then, the 9-time world champion has struggled to get satisfactory results on the track.

Rossi last won a race at the Dutch MotoGP in 2017. He also only finished on the podium 10 times in the 4 years after that win at Assen until finally retiring last season.

Meanwhile, for Marquez this will be his first race after closing last season early due to double vision problems. He feels fit after the pre-season test and is now ready to return to competition.

"Of course for 2022 I want to fight for the title. For the Qatar GP maybe I am not ready, but over the weekend we will see where we are," said Marquez.

After Qatar, the second series of races will take place in Indonesia on March 18-20. This is the first time Indonesia has hosted the prestigious race since the last time it was held in 1997.