Jorge Martin has hailed his 2024 MotoGP title victory, stating that he triumphed over the “best versions” of both Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez throughout the season.
The Pramac rider engaged in a fierce title battle with factory Ducati rival Bagnaia, which came to a head in a thrilling final-round showdown in Barcelona. Despite winning just three races to Bagnaia’s 11, Martin’s remarkable consistency throughout the season earned him his first premier class title by a narrow 10-point margin.
In an interview with the official MotoGP website, Martin expressed his admiration for Bagnaia and Marquez, both of whom showcased their best performances in 2024. “It was incredible winning against the best Pecco, because he won 11 races,” Martin said. “So, it was the best Pecco. I also think Marc was at his best. Maybe he didn’t have the best bike, and he was missing a little from the bike, but he was the best Marc. I can assure you, he was on the limit. And I beat them both.”
Though Martin won due to his consistency, he acknowledged areas for improvement in his performance. “I only won three Sundays, and I crashed twice while leading,” he said. “There’s always room to improve, and I’ll work on that.”
Looking ahead, Martin shared his ambitions for his career, revealing his desire to become a MotoGP legend. “I want to be remembered as an amazing rider, like [Jorge] Lorenzo, [Dani] Pedrosa, Valentino [Rossi], Marc Marquez,” he said.
Reflecting on his emotions after clinching the championship, Martin recalled the hardships he overcame, especially the crash in Portugal during his rookie season in 2021 that left him with multiple injuries. “It’s still difficult to accept,” he admitted. “After the race, I was emotional, really shocked. Before I went to sleep, I was crying a lot in bed, on my own. Maria was sleeping, and I started crying.”
Martin’s thoughts also turned to the painful recovery process after his crash. “I remember the bad moments, how difficult it was,” he said. “But the important thing is that I never gave up. I remember being in Portimão with nine injuries, unable to walk for a month. Now, here I am today. It’s crazy.”
