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The 2024 MotoGP season will be remembered for both the race for the title, later won by Martin over Bagnaia, and also for Marc Marquez's return to the top step of the podium. The gamble of the Spanish rider - who, in order to become competitive again after his injury, ended his chapter in HRC to start over with Gresini Ducati's satellite team - was by no means a foregone conclusion. It only took him a few races to find that affinity on the Ducati GP23. The first signs that the rider from Cervera was returning to the glory of yesteryear happened with his podiums and comebacks at Jerez and Le Mans. But his consecration came later at the Aragon circuit: a victory that broke more than 1,000 days of "abstinence" for the eight-time world champion.
However, those who were surprised at Marquez's talent and his hunger to return to winning weren't only his fans and sector insiders but also, and above all, the riders, his opponents on the track. Among them was Jack Miller, who repeatedly cited Rossi as his idol, facing the season on the official KTM alongside Binder, and who'll be riding the Pramac Yamaha team's M1 in 2025. According to the Australian rider, Marc Marquez at Aragon "taught the rest of the grid a lesson."
"He's always been the greatest. Just look at what he's already achieved," he began. "At the Motorland, Marquez dictated the pace all weekend," he commented about the performance of the Spanish rider, who took advantage of the scarcity of data, due to the absence of the premier class at the circuit in recent years. "He was in tune with his own bike. The following Monday, after the race, I reviewed the sessions and the race itself. There I realized that he had everything under control. That scares the rest of us because we know how dominant Marc can be when he's at ease and healthy," Miller, who'll be facing the Spanish champion next season riding the GP25 of the factory Ducati team, admitted.
Rossi vs. Marquez: who's the better rider according to Miller?
The age-old question is difficult to answer for the Australian rider. Marc Marquez's career will always be juxtaposed with that of Valentino Rossi's. It's difficult to choose the best between the two.
"Marc has his character, Vale also has his. The Valentino era spanned two decades, and Vale deserves credit for developing his riding style over time. He's also been very dominant with two different manufacturers, both at Honda and Yamaha."
On the other hand, if the MotoGP chapter is now closed for Valentino, the near future hasn't yet been written for Marc, and the Spanish rider is only one title away from the nine won by Valentino Rossi. And his arrival on the GP25 in the factory Ducati team has certainly raised expectations for the upcoming season.
"Marc's story continues. It's not over, yet. As soon as it's over, we can decide," Miller concluded.
