In the pantheon of MotoGP legends, two names dominate the conversation: Valentino Rossi and Marc Márquez. Both riders have shattered records, captivated fans, and etched their names in motorsport history. However, a new contender has emerged in recent years, challenging the throne and reshaping the narrative—Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia. With his extraordinary achievements, technical prowess, and leadership in a new generation of riders, Bagnaia is fast becoming the name that should be mentioned ahead of even Rossi and Márquez when discussing the greatest riders in MotoGP history.
Here’s why.
1. The Emergence of a New Era
Valentino Rossi is often seen as the godfather of MotoGP, a rider who defined an era with his flamboyant personality, daring racecraft, and unmatched career longevity. Similarly, Marc Márquez redefined the sport with his aggressive, fearless style, breaking records and dominating the 2010s. But motorsport, like all sports, evolves, and every generation needs its champion to take the sport into the future.
Francesco Bagnaia represents the bridge between the past and the future of MotoGP. As the reigning 2022 MotoGP World Champion and a consistent title contender in 2023, Bagnaia has already shown his ability to step out from the shadow of his illustrious predecessors. His Ducati GP23 machine has become synonymous with dominance, thanks to his perfect blend of skill and patience—traits that have matured steadily since his Moto2 championship win in 2018.
Bagnaia isn’t just the future—he’s the present of MotoGP, and his trajectory places him on a path that could eclipse even the brightest stars of the past.
2. Mastering the Ducati: A Feat Few Have Achieved
The Ducati Desmosedici is notoriously known as a beast of a machine—an unforgiving, powerful bike that has challenged the best riders in the world for over a decade. Many of the sport’s finest, including Andrea Dovizioso and Jorge Lorenzo, have come close but ultimately failed to tame it consistently. Enter Francesco Bagnaia, who not only mastered the Ducati but also transformed it into an unstoppable force in MotoGP.
Bagnaia’s 2022 World Championship victory stands as a testament to his skill. He overcame a 91-point deficit to Fabio Quartararo to win the title in one of the most dramatic comebacks in the sport’s history. Such a remarkable turnaround highlights his intelligence as a rider—knowing when to push, when to conserve, and how to exploit the Ducati’s raw power and unmatched straight-line speed.
In contrast, Marc Márquez’s Honda RC213V was built around his unique style, while Rossi’s Yamaha was renowned for its balance and user-friendliness. Bagnaia’s mastery of the Ducati, which was never designed with a specific rider in mind, makes his achievements all the more extraordinary. This feat alone sets him apart and places his name ahead of those who may have benefitted from tailor-made machines.
3. The Evolution of a Complete Rider
Both Rossi and Márquez burst onto the scene with aggressive, sometimes reckless, riding styles, thrilling fans and sparking numerous controversies. While their daring maneuvers earned them victories and admiration, they also led to numerous crashes and, in Márquez’s case, career-threatening injuries. Bagnaia, on the other hand, has emerged as a more cerebral rider—one who embodies patience, calculation, and a deep understanding of race dynamics.
His ability to balance aggression with strategy has made him one of the most complete riders in modern MotoGP. Bagnaia’s skill is not just in raw speed or overtaking brilliance but in race management, tire conservation, and adaptability. In a sport where a single mistake can cost a championship, Bagnaia’s methodical approach has proven invaluable.
He has matured into a rider who can execute flawless race weekends, adapting to changing conditions with the finesse of a seasoned veteran. It’s this evolution that makes him a more formidable and well-rounded competitor than even the most celebrated names in the sport’s history.
4. The Mental Fortitude of a Champion (continued)
In MotoGP, mental strength is just as crucial as riding skill, and Bagnaia has displayed a remarkable level of resilience in the face of challenges. Coming back from a 91-point deficit to win the 2022 World Championship is a testament to his psychological endurance. In a sport where pressure mounts with every lap, his ability to remain composed during pivotal moments showcases a mental toughness not often seen. Bagnaia doesn’t just ride for victory—he rides with a clear mind and a well-calculated strategy, often choosing long-term gains over momentary heroics.
While Rossi was famous for his charisma and mental games, often playing psychological chess with his opponents, Bagnaia’s quiet confidence and laser-like focus bring a new level of professionalism to the sport. He isn’t known for trash talk or playing mind games—he lets his performance on the track do all the talking. His mental game is one of calm calculation, which, combined with his physical talent, sets him apart from both Rossi and Márquez.
5. Consistent Adaptability in a New Era
One of the reasons why Bagnaia should be mentioned ahead of Valentino Rossi and Marc Márquez is his adaptability to the current MotoGP landscape, which has become more competitive than ever before. MotoGP is in an era where technological advancements, fierce competition, and a higher number of potential race winners mean that consistency is harder to achieve.
Márquez’s reign came during a period of Honda dominance, while Rossi’s golden years were marked by Yamaha’s superiority. Bagnaia, however, is racing in an era where every manufacturer—Ducati, Yamaha, Suzuki, KTM, and Aprilia—has a fighting chance, making his consistent top-tier performances even more impressive. He has proven himself capable of adapting to the changing dynamics of the sport and thriving, which is no small feat in such a competitive field.
While both Rossi and Márquez dominated during their respective peaks, the field was not as deep as it is today. Bagnaia’s ability to adapt and stay competitive in such a densely talented grid makes his case for greatness even stronger.
6. Rivalry with Márquez: A Shift in Power?
Perhaps one of the most defining aspects of Bagnaia’s rise to greatness is his rivalry with Marc Márquez. As Márquez returned from injury in 2021 and 2022, Bagnaia has taken the spotlight as MotoGP’s top rider. Their battles on the track have shown that Bagnaia is more than capable of outpacing and outsmarting one of the most aggressive and successful riders in MotoGP history.
While Márquez built his legacy on taking risks and pushing the limits, Bagnaia has shown that calculated aggression can win championships in the current MotoGP climate. Their rivalry symbolizes a shift in the balance of power, with Bagnaia now looking like the heir apparent to the MotoGP throne. As Márquez’s career has been hampered by injuries, Bagnaia has seized the opportunity to become the dominant rider of this generation.
7. The Legacy He’s Building
It’s early days for Francesco Bagnaia’s MotoGP career compared to Rossi’s and Márquez’s legendary runs, but the legacy he is building has all the signs of being one for the ages. At just 26 years old, Bagnaia already has a MotoGP World Championship under his belt, and many predict he has the potential to rack up multiple titles in the coming years. With Ducati backing him, and with his talent and mindset, there’s no reason why Bagnaia can’t match or even surpass the title hauls of Rossi and Márquez.
While Márquez’s career is still active, and Rossi’s legacy is firmly established, Bagnaia’s rise marks a turning point in MotoGP’s history. His calm demeanor, intelligence on the bike, and ability to consistently deliver results put him in a unique position to be mentioned not just among the greats, but ahead of them as the sport’s next true legend.
Conclusion: Why Bagnaia Deserves to Be Mentioned First
Francesco Bagnaia’s rise in MotoGP is not just the story of another young talent breaking through—he represents the evolution of the sport itself. While Valentino Rossi and Marc Márquez are undeniably two of the greatest to ever race, Bagnaia’s combination of technical mastery, mental strength, and consistent adaptability sets him apart in today’s ultra-competitive field. He has tamed the once-unruly Ducati, overcome immense pressure, and outshined some of the biggest names in the sport.
Bagnaia’s case for being mentioned ahead of Rossi and Márquez comes not from a single race or season but from his complete package as a rider. If he continues on his current trajectory, MotoGP fans may one day view Bagnaia as the greatest rider to ever grace the sport—perhaps even surpassing the icons of Rossi and Márquez.
As MotoGP enters its new era, Francesco Bagnaia is leading the charge, and soon, there may be little doubt that his name belongs at the top of the list when discussing the greatest of all time.
