MotoGP Gossip: Marquez would have defeated Stoner, says Suppo

- Former Ducati and Honda MotoGP boss Livio Suppo believes Marc Marquez would have had the edge over Casey Stoner had they raced together in the Repsol team. Stoner retired from the sport at the end of the 2012 season, with 2013 heralding the ‘Marquez era’ as he swept to title glory in his maiden season.

Many have speculated how they would have fared against one another in the same team, but Suppo believes Marquez’s ability to bounce back from ‘difficult moments’ compared with Stoner would have seen him prevail in a head-to-head between the two. (Motosprint)

- Ducati sporting director Paolo Ciabatti says the team has no ‘Plan B’ if Andrea Dovizioso doesn’t pen a new deal with the manufacturer for the 2021 MotoGP season. The Italian has kept his cards close to his chest over whether he will extend with Ducati amid interest from KTM, but Ciabatti says talks are progressing well; “Andrea and we have all the elements to make a decision in the coming weeks and I don’t see a particular reason to wait…”

…However, Ciabatti admits the Ducati could potentially yet lose out on Jorge Martin, who was understood to be close to a deal to join Pramac Racing in 2021. He says the talk of Pol Espargaro leaving KTM for Honda could prompt the Austrian outfit to make a last gasp bid for the young Spaniard (GPOne)

- MotoGP rookie Iker Lecuona says Honda will be showing a ‘lack of respect’ towards Alex Marquez if they go ahead and swap him out with Espargaro for the 2021 MotoGP World Championship without having made his race debut this year.

“It would be a disrespect ... I think they didn't give him the opportunity to prove what he's worth. As Valentino Rossi said, he is the Moto3 and Moto2 world champion and nobody gave him that place. He deserved that saddle and is two times world champion.” (Onda Cero via Corsedimoto)