Jorge Martin has praised Francesco Bagnaia as he continues to cement his place among MotoGP’s greatest riders, stating that the double world champion is “entering the group” of all-time legends like Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi.
While Martin and Bagnaia have been fierce rivals over the past two years, with Martin clinching his first MotoGP title in 2024, the Spanish rider has consistently acknowledged the strength of his chief rival. Despite winning only three grands prix compared to Bagnaia’s 11, Martin’s consistent performances throughout the season earned him the championship by a narrow 10-point margin in the final round.
Martin’s victory was historic, as he became the first independent team rider to win the title in the modern MotoGP era. Reflecting on the achievement, Martin has emphasized that he defeated the “best version” of Bagnaia to secure the crown.
In an interview with Spanish newspaper AS, Martin shared his thoughts on Bagnaia’s place in MotoGP history and his own standing among the sport’s elite.
“Marc Marquez is the best in history, along with Valentino Rossi,” Martin said. “But Pecco is entering that group. With the results he’s achieving, he has already surpassed Casey Stoner, for example. And I beat Pecco, so where does that put me?”
Martin, known for his grounded approach, clarified that he doesn’t intend to boast, acknowledging that he still has a long way to go. Nonetheless, he considers himself to be at Bagnaia’s level in terms of sporting achievement.
“I don’t mean to brag,” Martin said. “But it’s clear that I consider myself at his level in sporting terms.”
Looking back at his title win, Martin emphasized the high level of competition in the current era, despite the absence of some legendary riders. “Obviously, I would have liked to compete for the title against the best riders — against Valentino Rossi, Marc Marquez, or Stoner, and others I grew up watching,” he explained. “But in the end, it’s about moments. Right now, it’s Pecco and Marquez, and it was them I had to beat.”
Martin is confident that the quality of racing in today’s MotoGP is incredibly high and believes the value of his 2024 title is immense. “In the era we are in now, the level is very high, and the value of this title is very high,” he concluded.
As Martin continues to assert himself among the sport’s top competitors, his ongoing rivalry with Bagnaia promises to remain a defining feature of MotoGP in the years to come.
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