Analysis: Alberto Puig's mid-season MotoGP review

Puig, a former Grand Prix winner in 500cc, works at Honda, where he runs the Asia Talent Cup, a role he combines with being a commentator on Spanish TV.

There aren't many people in the paddock capable of offering such a broad vision, something that's logical considering he has been in every position: rider, agent, team member and even journalist.

Marquez - "If the bike was a disaster, he wouldn't be leading"

Like the majority, Puig also praises Marquez's change of approach for 2016, although he points out some details about the potential of his bike.

"People who are special like him learn, and especially from their mistakes," said Puig. "Marc has taken a step forward by understanding you can't always be on the limit.

"A Honda is leading the championship, with a guy who is star on it. But if they bike was a disaster not even Marc would be leading the championship.

"He has matured a lot, because if he raced as he did last year he probably would have crashed three or four times. That shows that this is the correct strategy."

Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team

Photo by: Toni Börner

Lorenzo - "I would have told him not to go to Ducati"

Although in the past, especially during his 250cc stint, he wasn't very fond of the Mallorcan rider, Puig now believes Lorenzo is a star: "You can't really reproach him because he's very good.

"Obviously he can have ups and downs. He needs to understand the bike, especially the front end, and some circumstances can hurt him.

"In the wet he will be strong one day, like others have been, and he will be very fast.

Regarding Lorenzo's move to Ducati, Puig added: "I personally don't know if I would have gone there, because now he has a very competitive Yamaha and he doesn't know what he will find there.

"I would probably have told him not to leave, but he has his reasons and he is convinced."

Jorge Lorenzo, Movistar Yamaha MotoGP

Photo by: Yamaha MotoGP

Rossi - "He's hungrier than the rest"

Puig runs out of adjectives to describe what Rossi is achieving at 37 years of age, and after having won everything.

"Valentino pushes the bike a lot, he has a big ego and ambition, and he's hungrier than the rest, that's what happens with him," said Puig.

"What he's achieving is indescribable, it's beyond any logical reasoning, but he achieves it thanks to spending 24 hours a day thinking how to win."

Valentino Rossi, Yamaha Factory Racing

Photo by: Toni Börner

Pedrosa - "He's taken a huge step backwards"

Puig and Pedrosa parted ways two-and-a-half years ago after having been nearly inseparable for over 15 years.

"I don't know well what Dani is doing, because in the last few years he has taken a huge step backwards, that's what the stats say," admitted Puig.

"Honda must has its reasons to renew him, because you have to keep in mind that, even during the bad times, both he and Lorenzo finish ahead of almost everybody.

"Dani finishes fourth with one hand, he's like a top bicycle rider. If he's off the pace in one race that's fine, but he's at risk of letting that happen too often and that will affect him mentally."

Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda Team

Photo by: Michelin Sport

Vinales - "I don't know if he's as good as Stoner, Pedrosa or Lorenzo"

When talking about Vinales, Puig is more cautious, as he doesn't know him as well as the others, even though what he has seen so far is promising.

"The results are not as good as what was expected from him in 2016," he said. "But he has a big potential for the future and he will have a great bike.

"But from the first minute he will have a huge pressure. And when you are in a factory team there are people looking at you in every race, and they demand results. We'll see how far he can go.

"Is he as brilliant as Stoner, Pedrosa and Lorenzo were back in the day? I can't answer that.

"Those three, when they were 13, were very special because of their speed. I don't know if Vinales has that."