Marquez can become the greatest of all time: Rossi

Spanish sensation Marc Marquez is on the fast track to greatness.

He has dominated this year's MotoGP in his rookie season and become the youngest-ever world champion at the age of 20.

His effortless transition to the premier class has staggered his Repsol Honda team and the sport's greats as he took the MotoGP world crown on the final day of the season, keeping his nerve despite the late-season charge of defending world champion Jorge Lorenzo.

Marquez wrapped up the MotoGP world crown with third place in yesterday's Valencia Grand Prix.

He was signed by Repsol Honda to replace Casey Stoner - easily one of the most astute business decisions in recent times.

The youngster was expected to ease his way into the premier class and take a back seat to his more experienced Spanish team-mate Dani Pedrosa.

Yet Marquez beat Pedrosa to the podium in his first race at Qatar and then passed him for victory in the next race in Texas - breaking Freddie Spencer's 31-year-old record for the youngest premier class winner.

Five victories later the tyro was on his way to the championship.

By winning the world title in his debut MotoGP season, Marquez became the first rookie to clinch the premier class championship since American Kenny Roberts in 1978.

Racing legends believe there are greater accomplishments ahead for Marquez, who was born in 1993 - hence the "93" emblazoned on his bike.

"He has all the potential to become the greatest of all time, or better than me, or win more than me," nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi said.

Australia's 1987 500cc world champion Wayne Gardner said Marquez's progress has been "incredible", while American 1993 champion Kevin Schwantz said he had never seen someone like the Spaniard get up to speed on a MotoGP bike so quickly.

"Back in the day it used to take a couple of years to figure out how best to ride one of these bikes," Schwantz said.

"But Marquez has already shown a few characteristics that a lot of these guys don't or might never have."

Australia's five-time title champion Mick Doohan said: "I've seen plenty come and go through the ranks and he's up there with the best of them, without a shadow of a doubt."