Marc Marquez will change MotoGP, predicts Nicky Hayden
Marc Marquez has the potential to change the face of MotoGP, reckons Ducati rider Nicky Hayden
The 2010 125cc champion and last year's Moto2 title-winner has been consistently impressive since stepping up to MotoGP with Honda over the winter.
Marquez was near the front in both the group tests at Sepang, and then led every day of Honda and Yamaha's private test at Austin this week.
Hayden said Marquez seemed to have taken to MotoGP even faster than his new rivals anticipated.
"I don't think anybody doubted that he was going to be fast," said the American. "When you are fast, you are fast.
"I would say to be quite this quick and even so consistently quick this early wasn't expected and for some of us riders, we aren't so pumped on it.
"He is going to be exciting for the sport. He rides very hard and he is very hungry."
Hayden thinks Marquez will immediately be a threat to the established frontrunners.
"If he can stay healthy, he is really going to shake things up this season," he said. "He has been very, very impressive and very fast, in a bit of his own style.
"And he could be a game-changer to MotoGP and all of road racing."
Austin MotoGP test: Marc Marquez fastest again on day two
Marc Marquez downplays Austin MotoGP test pace
Hamilton accepts blame for incident with Albon in F1 Brazilian GP
Hamilton accepts blame for incident with Albon in F1 Brazilian GP Hamilton accepts blame for incident with Albon in F1 Brazilian GP
Ferrari drivers escape punishment after Brazilian GP F1 collision
Ferrari drivers escape punishment after Brazilian GP F1 collision Ferrari drivers escape punishment after Brazilian GP F1 collision
Will Alonso's Indy failure end the age of versatility?
Will Alonso's Indy failure end the age of versatility? Will Alonso's Indy failure end the age of versatility?
Nicky Hayden: Remembering motorsport's much-loved "one-off" five years on
Nicky Hayden: Remembering motorsport's much-loved "one-off" five years on Nicky Hayden: Remembering motorsport's much-loved "one-off" five years on
MotoGP to retire Nicky Hayden's #69 as tribute to late 2006 champion
MotoGP to retire Nicky Hayden's #69 as tribute to late 2006 champion MotoGP to retire Nicky Hayden's #69 as tribute to late 2006 champion
Driver involved in Nicky Hayden's fatal crash sentenced
Driver involved in Nicky Hayden's fatal crash sentenced Driver involved in Nicky Hayden's fatal crash sentenced
Morbidelli/Rossi relationship won’t change as MotoGP team-mates
Morbidelli/Rossi relationship won’t change as MotoGP team-mates Morbidelli/Rossi relationship won’t change as MotoGP team-mates
SRT: Rossi won't have less pressure as satellite MotoGP rider
SRT: Rossi won't have less pressure as satellite MotoGP rider SRT: Rossi won't have less pressure as satellite MotoGP rider
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
FIA launches F1 tyre supply tender from 2025
FIA launches F1 tyre supply tender from 2025 FIA launches F1 tyre supply tender from 2025
RNF unveils new-look for first MotoGP season with Aprilia
RNF unveils new-look for first MotoGP season with Aprilia RNF unveils new-look for first MotoGP season with Aprilia
The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos
The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos The Mexico maestro keeps cool among the WRC chaos
Evans explains why he lost second at WRC Rally Mexico
Evans explains why he lost second at WRC Rally Mexico Evans explains why he lost second at WRC Rally Mexico
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years
How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years
Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?
Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne? Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?
How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023
How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023 How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023
How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races
How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races
The Ducati rider who is much more than just the brother of a MotoGP legend
The Ducati rider who is much more than just the brother of a MotoGP legend The Ducati rider who is much more than just the brother of a MotoGP legend
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.