A third consecutive world championship in 2015 will mean more to Marc Marquez than his record setting rookie title as the youngest ever MotoGP champion.
Especially if he beats a fast and revitalised Yamaha rival Jorge Lorenzo to take a triple crown of titles.
For Marquez to put victory in this year’s championship above his history making 2013 title reinforces his recognition that at his best Lorenzo is the rider he most fears.
Lorenzo last won the championship in 2012 with Marquez becoming the youngest ever world champion at 20 in 2013 with a repeat win in 2014.
“If you have a season when you push 100 percent and you are fighting within just a few points of Jorge then if you win this championship the emotion will be bigger,” Marquez said.
“When your rivals are pushing and the level is really high like it is with Jorge, and also Valentino (Rossi) and Dani (Pedrosa), then if you win the title it is more exciting than the others.
“When I won the title in 2013 I was really excited but when I won again in 2014 I was really happy but it wasn’t like 2013.
“But if I win in 2015 it will be my most satisfying moment.”
While Marquez does not lightly dismiss the credentials of Honda teammate Pedrosa and the evergreen Rossi it is Lorenzo’s brilliance, and a cleverly upgraded Yamaha M1, that is the main block to a third title.
Marquez and the awesome Honda RC213V won 13 races last year in a remarkable show of force that will not be easy to repeat.
And Marquez rightly senses that Lorenzo will be in a dangerous mood as he bounces back from an under-performing 2014 season in which he never seriously challenged for the title.
“When a top rider has a season like Jorge had last year then 100 percent sure the next year will be stronger, and he will stronger than in the past years,” Marquez said.
Jorge Lorenzo #99 the Spanish rival
“Last year Jorge was not in a good shape with his physical condition but I expect he will be really strong again this year for the whole season.
“I would like to repeat my wins of last year, like the ten victories in a row, but I know that this will be very difficult.
“The Yamaha looks strong and now Jorge is clearly back on the pace.”