He will have trembled until the end, having to look at the rearview mirrors again and again. But in the end no one managed to unseat him from the top of the MotoGP general classification. On Sunday, November 17, Jorge Martín (Ducati-Pramac) was crowned world champion in the premier category of motorcycling for the first time in his career. A crowning achievement at the end of a season full of suspense and a final Barcelona Grand Prix in which he had to finish in the top nine to secure the title. In front of his audience, the Spaniard even offered to get one last podium, finishing the race in third position.
Vice world champion last year, the 26-year-old from Madrid dethroned the double champion, Francesco Bagnaia. The Italian from the Ducati team has achieved a series of successes throughout the year and acquired his 11my Sunday, in 20 races held. But the 2024 MotoGP season finally rewarded ten points (508 to 498) for consistency, of which Jorge Martín is the best representative. Who, by the way, becomes the first rider from a satellite team – a private team, not dependent on a manufacturer – to win the MotoGP title.
“There are many emotionsexplained Jorge Martín with a smile at the end of the race, on Canal+. I cried, I was happy and then I cried again. I thank my family, my friends but also my competitors, including Francesco. They pushed me to my limits. »
The “Martinator”, as he calls himself, in homage to the film terminator – has rarely missed a race weekend, as evidenced by his 16 podium finishes throughout the year, including three wins. In Barcelona he did not try to add style and one last success but rather he set out to maintain his comfortable lead in the standings by avoiding a fall.
“I managed to stay competitive and give my best.He welcomed the pilot. It has been a long journey, I suffered a lot during my career. There were injuries and that made me stronger. I worked a lot physically and mentally. I felt ready for the challenge. »
The French are still far from the goal
His Italian team Pramac, which will join Yamaha next season after ten years riding Ducatis, had already caused a surprise last year by winning the team classification thanks to Martin and the Frenchman Johann Zarco.
In the shadow of the duel between Jorge Martín and Francesco Bagnaia, the six-time Spanish world champion Marc Márquez (Ducati-Gresini) climbed this Sunday to the second step of the podium in his homeland to secure third place in the championship ahead of the Italian Enea Bastianini (Ducati), seventh in Montmeló.
For your 255my and last MotoGP Grand Prix, the local of the stage Aleix Espargaró (Aprilia), born a few kilometers from the circuit, achieved fifth place at the end of a magnificent race in which he initially protected his great friend Jorge Martín, before fighting with his compatriot Álex Márquez (Ducati-Gresini), finally fourth.
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Frenchmen Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) and Johann Zarco (Honda-LCR) ended their season finishing 11th respectively.my and 14my. World champion in 2021, Quartararo was unable to join the fight for the top of the championship this season and ultimately finished in an anonymous 13th place.my place.
