Marquez right to delay MotoGP switch, says Valentino Rossi

Valentino Rossi has backed rising star Marc Marquez’s decision to stay for one more season in the Moto2 world championship in 2012.

The Spaniard ended speculation that he was going to switch to MotoGP next season with confirmation in Sepang today that he will continue to ride in the 600cc four-stroke Moto2 series.

Marquez made his decision ahead of last weekend’s Phillip Island race in Australia so he can concentrate on trying to defeat Stefan Bradl in a thrilling Moto2 title chase.

The pair are split by just three-points going into Sunday’s race in Malaysia, with German Bradl holding the slender initiative with just two races remaining.

Asked what he felt about Marquez’s decision to delay his MotoGP transfer until 2013, Italian Rossi said: “Personally I think he made the right choice. If I am Marc I would do the same because first he is very young and he has a lot of time and second it is a way to take out some pressure because if he wins the championship he is happy but if he loses he has another chance to become Moto2 world champion next year.”

Rossi also joked that Marquez’s decision would make his job of moving Ducati’s struggling Desmosedici closer to the front next season easier.

He added: “I think it is also positive for us because it means there is one less Honda.”

Colin Edwards predicted Marquez will make a major impact when he switches to MotoGP in 2013, most likely with his own Honda squad run by current team boss Emilio Alzamora.

The Texan said:”For me it is the best news I’ve heard all week because I love watching him before I got out. And if he is in the same race I might not even see him. I watch him before I go out and it is like a Rocky movie because it gets you pumped up watching him coming through the pack or doing what he does. But he will definitely be a threat when he comes to MotoGP.”