Marc Marquez vs. Valentino Rossi: Pedro Acosta Delivers His Clear Verdict

KTM rider Pedro Acosta, who will be riding for the Ducati factory team starting in 2027, spoke in an interview with *As* about the comparison between Valentino Rossi and his future teammate Marc Marquez. “Marquez is the best rider of the last 15 years. Maybe 15 is too many, but something like that. He’s on the same level as Rossi. They’re the two best of all time. I put them on the same level.”

“Ultimately, I think Marc gave his all on the track, and Valentino made a big impact in the media. Valentino was a crowd-pleaser wherever he went. Plus, he raced in a very different era. After all, Marc has faced the best riders in the entire history of the championship—apart from Stoner, who never raced against him.”

“He’s faced all the greats—like Pedrosa, Lorenzo, and Valentino—and beaten them. So he’s accomplished a lot on the track—perhaps much more than he has off it. Who would have won between Stoner and Marquez? It’s hard to say because back in Casey’s day, I hardly ever watched the races. I think it would have been one of the most evenly matched battles we’ve seen in the last 10 years.”

“Me, the new Marc Marquez? It’s always nice to be compared to a rider who has given so much to this sport and achieved so many successes on the track, but I think we’re two pretty different people, despite any similarities we may have.”