Summary
- Márquez says reduced strength has increased his appreciation of Pedrosa’s achievements.
- The former Honda teammates shared a garage from 2013 to 2018.
- Pedrosa won 31 premier-class races and remains an influential figure as a KTM test rider.
Marc Márquez says his own physical limitations have given him a deeper appreciation of Dani Pedrosa, whose technique allowed him to compete against the best riders in MotoGP despite a significant disadvantage in size and strength. For the Ducati rider, experiencing reduced strength himself has made his former Honda teammate’s achievements even more impressive.
The comments feature in DAZN’s DECODED documentary dedicated to Pedrosa. Released in September, the episode examines his career through contributions from former rivals and people who worked closely with him, including Márquez, Jorge Lorenzo and Alberto Puig.
“Now that I have less strength, I appreciate Pedrosa even more,” Márquez said, as reported by GPOne.
Márquez and Pedrosa shared Honda’s factory garage from 2013 to 2018. That gave Márquez six seasons to study how his teammate controlled the bike, managed its demands and produced race-winning speed against physically larger opponents.
Why Pedrosa’s technique means more to Márquez now
Márquez’s assessment centres on the skill required to compensate for physical limitations. He believes Pedrosa’s precision allowed him to achieve things on a premier-class motorcycle that another rider could not simply reproduce through greater strength.
The comparison has become more personal as Márquez has adapted his own riding following years of injuries and recovery. In an interview published in July, he explained that reduced strength in his right arm had also increased the workload on his left, illustrating the compromises involved in remaining competitive.
That experience gives a different meaning to what he watched Pedrosa do at Honda. Márquez remembers following him as an opportunity to study the bike’s behaviour and learn from a rider whose control depended heavily on technique.
Pedrosa’s influence has continued beyond their years as teammates. Márquez says he still turns to him for guidance when they meet in the paddock.
“Whenever I see him, I try to ask him for advice,” he said.
A missing MotoGP title does not define Pedrosa’s talent
Pedrosa won 31 premier-class Grands Prix but never secured the MotoGP championship. His career overlapped with Valentino Rossi, Casey Stoner, Lorenzo and Márquez, placing him against several of the most successful riders in the sport’s history.
For Márquez, that missing title creates an incomplete picture of his former teammate’s ability. In the documentary, he argues that championship records do not always reflect the relative talent of the riders who produced them and considers Pedrosa’s failure to win the premier-class crown particularly unfair.
Pedrosa nevertheless won three world championships before moving into MotoGP: the 125cc title in 2003 and successive 250cc crowns in 2004 and 2005. Across the categories, he recorded at least one victory in 16 consecutive seasons.
Pedrosa’s influence continues at KTM
After ending his full-time MotoGP career in 2018, Pedrosa moved into testing with KTM. His work now includes helping develop the manufacturer’s motorcycle for the 850cc regulations arriving in 2027, alongside Pol Espargaró.
The role keeps the qualities praised by Márquez relevant to the current championship. His ability to identify how a motorcycle behaves and communicate what a rider needs remains valuable long after his final full season.
For Márquez, the respect is both professional and personal: Pedrosa was a rival he studied at Honda and remains someone whose advice he seeks today.
MotoGP today: FAQ
What time does Japanese MotoGP practice start?
FP1 begins on Friday, 2 October, at 10:45 in Japan, 02:45 BST in the UK, 07:15 IST in India and 11:45 AEST in Sydney and Melbourne. In North America, it starts on Thursday at 21:45 EDT in New York and Toronto, or 18:45 PDT in Los Angeles and Vancouver. Friday’s session deciding direct Q2 entry begins at 15:00 in Japan.
Is Red Bull returning to Honda in MotoGP?
Yes. Honda has confirmed that Red Bull will return as a partner of its factory MotoGP programme from 2027. Their previous partnership ran from 2015 to 2023. The reunion coincides with Fabio Quartararo’s arrival and the championship’s switch to 850cc bikes.
Is Maverick Viñales racing at the Japanese MotoGP?
Yes. Viñales is returning at Motegi after an absence caused by his shoulder injury. Ahead of the weekend, he questioned KTM’s intentions towards him and revealed that he had thought he might not race again this season.
Why does Marc Márquez appreciate Dani Pedrosa more now?
Márquez says experiencing reduced physical strength himself has deepened his appreciation of the technique Pedrosa used to overcome his physical disadvantages.
