Marc Márquez is flying up the standings with back-to-back Grand Prix wins in Hungary and Czechia.
He has signed a new Ducati contract to capitalise on the momentum.
What happened?
Jorge Lorenzo has given the current grid a brutal reality check in their attempts to stop Marc Márquez.
Lorenzo said Marquez would probably have won all those championships without his arm problems and a non-competitive Honda.
Lorenzo delivers verdict on Marquez comeback
The five-time world champion believes Marquez is still superior to the current crop of riders.
He thinks Marquez's experience and smartness in dealing with the media give him an edge.
Comparison with Rossi-era MotoGP grid
Lorenzo beat Marquez to the MotoGP title in 2015 during one of the sport’s most infamous seasons.
That was an anomaly, though, with Marquez winning seven of his eight premier class titles from 2012 to 2019.
Ducati appear to have closed the gap on championship leaders Aprilia, with Marquez now in much better physical condition.
The championship has moved to circuits where Ducati struggles less, and they may have introduced some aerodynamic developments.
Marquez is 33 years old and has the experience to know exactly what to say and what benefits him.
He is getting close to several all-time records, and betting against another title for the nine-time champion would now be foolish.
Ducati developments and championship context
Lorenzo detailed how Ducati's new rear section, resembling something from Formula 1, may have given them an advantage.
Aprilia may have benefited less from recent developments, and Marquez's improved physical condition is a key factor.
Marquez reduced a 120-point deficit to just 40, despite coming off a painful double surgery that saw him miss a race.
He is still better than the others, even when not in perfect physical condition, according to Lorenzo.