Marquez still believes Lorenzo will win races in 2017

Switching from Yamaha to Ducati for this season, Lorenzo has had an up-and-down campaign riding for the Italian marque, having taken a podium finish at Jerez but also finishing as low as 15th in Assen.

It means the three-time premier class champion lies ninth in the points, some 58 points behind teammate Andrea Dovizioso, who has taken two wins and is only six points shy of leader Marquez.

But despite Lorenzo's difficulties, Marquez is convinced that his former rival getting the best of his equipment is simply a matter of time - and that race wins remain a viable goal for Lorenzo this year.

"I already said at the beginning of the year that Jorge could get on the podium and even win some races, and I still think that he will win some this year," predicted Marquez.

"To be able to fight for a title, you have to know a lot about the bike and the equipment, and everything has to be 100 percent. There, in the consistency, is where he is lacking.

"But he's making a lot of effort, and I'm convinced that victory will come."

Marquez currently leads the title standings following his second win of the year at the Sachsenring at the start of the month, with his nearest pursuers grouped closely behind.

Yamaha's Maverick Vinales is five points behind at the halfway point of the season, with Dovizioso and the second Yamaha of Valentino Rossi six and 10 behind the reigning champion respectively. Fifth-placed Dani Pedrosa is 26 points behind his Repsol Honda teammate.

Marquez was asked to summarise each of his rivals in one word during a recent sponsor appearance. 

"Maverick is speed, Valentino is experience and Dovizioso is consistency," he said. "Dani is a bit of all that, but if I have to say it in a word, I'd say talent.

"Nobody talks about him, but without making any fuss, there he is."

Additional reporting by German Garcia Casanova