Ex-MotoGP rider Jorge Lorenzo ranks what he considers to be the five best riders in the premier class, including himself
Since Jorge Lorenzo hung up his active racing career, the three-time MotoGP world champion has been working as a commentator and pundit. In The Wild Project podcast, he revealed which five riders he considers to be the best in the long history of the premier class
In first place, he names a name against whom he himself achieved his greatest victories, but also defeats, in the team-internal duel at Yamaha: “The best was Valentino Rossi – for what he meant, for what he gave to motorcycling, for his charisma,” Lorenzo puts “Il Dottore” at the top.
“He didn’t do it for others,” he says of the nine-time world champion, “but selfishly for himself, but in the end it benefited motorcycling as a whole. “
Lorenzo: “It was a different time “
“I would describe Marc Marquez as the second best in history,” Lorenzo continues. The Spaniard is currently experiencing his second spring in MotoGP and is celebrating his first successes with Ducati after a serious injury and a long dry spell with Honda.
When it comes to third place on his leaderboard, Lorenzo finds it more difficult. “Third … That’s complicated. It’s very close with third place. Agostini is third because he has won the most titles,” he finally decides.
“But of course he has won races with a one-minute lead over the runner-up. He often had the best bike and there was a lot of inequality. They didn’t prepare physically like they do today, some of them smoked. It was a different time,” says the former MotoGP rider.
Doohan mentally particularly strong
When it comes to choosing fourth place, Lorenzo opts for Mick Doohan. “Simply because of his mental strength. He has won four titles. He even had a broken leg when he wasn’t world champion and they told him they were going to amputate it.”
“The guy pulled through because of his mental strength and ambition. A bit like I often do,” he says, seeing parallels with himself – and puts himself in fifth place.
“If I have to put myself on the list, then I do – based on the numbers and because I’ve improved a lot technically. I improved a lot and was a damn robot,” says Lorenzo, looking back on his sometimes dominant victories.
Not only results are important
“I’m not going to say that I’m better in history than Rossi or Agostini or Marquez, who have beaten me in terms of titles. Numbers are numbers, but I think fifth place is clear.” At the same time, the Spaniard admits that numbers alone do not determine who is the best of all time.
There have been other riders with a lot of talent, but who have not been able to win or win as much as others due to various circumstances. “For example, Pedrosa was technically better for me than Nicky Hayden,” says Lorenzo.
“But Hayden became world champion and Pedrosa didn’t. But it’s true that the numbers and the quality of a rider usually go hand in hand. “