Jorge Martin was left on cloud nine to have defeated reigning MotoGP world champion Francesco Bagnaia ‘on track’ as he looks to stage a title tilt against the Italian.
The Pramac Ducati pilot was keen to replicate his impressive sprint race fight back – in which he went from sixth on the grid to victory – in Sunday’s German Grand Prix, though he had his work cut out after his factory Ducati rival managed to make some set-up gains overnight and looked clearly stronger than he had during the shorter sprint encounter.
Bagnaia looked likely to snatch away a second career grand prix success from Martin after passing him with just under nine laps remaining at the Sachsenring, though the Spaniard swiftly fought back to re-take the leadership a few laps later – though Bagnaia had saved a little more rear tyre for the end of the contest, forcing Martin to defend aggressively over the closing tours.
Despite a near-catastrophic collision at the final bend on the penultimate circulation, Martin held on to complete the German clean-sweep and secure his first grand prix win since his first in Austria nearly two years ago – closing to within 16 points of Bagnaia in the riders standings in the process.
Martin conceded that it felt “great” to beat reigning champion Bagnaia in a head-to-head scrap, admitting that he tried desperately to switch his lines while under pressure in the closing stanza to try and wrong-foot his rival behind.
“The win was great but it was also a win against Pecco (Bagnaia) on track, this is the main thing and he’s been the strongest for a year-and-a-half so beating him means a lot and he’s one of the best, so hopefully we can keep this pace for the rest of the season,” exclaimed Martin following the race.
“I had a really good start and was second on the first lap so that was good, but then I struggled a bit more to pass him (Bagnaia) but in corner 12 I was strong.
“Then I tried to use my pace and do the same as yesterday but I had to manage the rear tyre, so that’s why I didn’t make a big gap and I was managing the distance.
“We’ve known each other for quite a long time and he’s really strong, yesterday he was struggling but today he was almost faster than me at the end and he has really good tracks coming as do I, so it could be fun I just need to be consistent.”
Martin added that “something happened” mid-race that made him “uncomfortable” on his Desmosedici, which he says was the catalyst to Bagnaia’s late race attack.
“I tried twice to make a small gap but he could straight away put in fast laps so I tried to change the lines and manage the situation, I was trying different lines every lap to try and keep him guessing to try and win,” continued Martin.
“Then something happened, I can’t say exactly what but I was uncomfortable which is why he caught me and from then I changed the strategy.”
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