How a mindset change created Marquez's biggest 2020 rival

By:

Lewis Duncan

May 3, 2020, 3:10 PM

While Fabio Quartararo is tipped as the emerging threat to Marc Marquez's MotoGP domination, a familiar face equipped with key mental improvements is set to put on a fightback

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The perceived wisdom towards the end of last year and all through the winter was Marc Marquez's biggest threat to his MotoGP crown would come from Fabio Quartararo, who demolished expectations and asserted himself as a MotoGP frontrunner in a sensational rookie campaign last year.

Call it hype, call it misguided, call it whatever - the facts were laid bare for all to see. Despite riding a 'B-spec' Yamaha machinery, essentially a 2018 M1 with a detuned 2019 engine, the Petronas SRT rider regularly ran with and made his factory counterparts look silly. More than that, he gave Marquez something to think about.

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Lewis Duncan

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Lewis Duncan is Autosport's International Editor and primary motorcycle racing reporter. A motorsport fan from a young age, Lewis became interested in journalism when he won the star letter competition in the February 2012 issue of F1 Racing Magazine. A member of the Autosport Academy from 2017, Lewis became a freelance motorcycle racing correspondent for Autosport in 2019 before becoming a full-time staffer in 2020 as International Editor.

While MotoGP coverage is his priority, Lewis also covers World Superbikes and road racing across the Motorsport Network, and hosts the Tank Slappers Podcast. He has also occasionally commentated on 750 Motor Club meetings. Away from motorsport, Lewis is a keen record collector with a collection unashamedly largely featuring Iron Maiden and Rush and an avid guitar player.