Jorge Martin accomplished a historic feat. Not only because he was the first rider to win the riders' title in MotoGP with a satellite team, but also because both he and his team left Ducati at the end of the year. The Spaniard went to Aprilia after the preference went to to Marc Marquez in the factory team, and Pramac switched to Yamaha.
"For me it was a bonding event, it brought us closer," Martin explained in an interview granted to Marca, "Also, I took the opportunity to make the team a team, they were also affected by what happened, but I took advantage of it.
Finally, this year, I took things more as an opportunity and not as a threat. I said to myself, 'okay, this is the way it is, what chance do we have?
Can a satellite team of 10-12 people beat an official team of 200? Well, a satellite team of 10-12 people can beat an official one of 200.
So let's work hard, no one is going to give us anything for free, and let's move on.' And in the end, because of that, I was able to become world champion."
What was very striking was the rivalry with Bagnaia. On the track they never cut each other any slack, but off the track their relationship never soured.
"Not that I am an example, but I think it will be difficult to see something like that again," Jorge said, "Because it will be difficult to see two riders like me and Pecco who in 2015 and 2016 slept in the same room and then fought for the World Championship in MotoGP.
Some people say, 'no, if you are a rival, you have to be an enemy,' but for me it's not necessary. I have rivals that I don't talk to and I have rivals, like Pecco, that I respect and have a good relationship with.
I sincerely believe that when we retire, Pecco and I can be friends, there will be no problem. In the end, it will be like between Rafa Nadal and Federer."
As mentioned, next year the official Ducati team has decided to bet on Marquez alongside Bagnaia. Who is the favorite?
"In the end, the one who was ahead was Pecco, so, I see Pecco as the favorite - was the world champion's answer - However, I don't want to mislead you, looking at the data I've seen things from Marc and sometimes I said to myself, 'man, the way his bike is going here, he's going very fast.'
That's not always the case, there were a couple of races, especially in Thailand and Malaysia, where, I don't know why, his bike was going less fast.
I also talked to him about it, but he tried and tried again and, in the end, he had some good races. So, I think with the GP25 he definitely has room for improvement, but I think Pecco is at a level that is very difficult to reach.
Eleven wins is something crazy and right now, after winning two titles in a row and finishing second this year, he is the favorite. Then, in the end, whatever is said now, doesn't matter. We'll see what happens."
Martin will have other problems; he will have to be able to win with the Aprilia as well.
"I 'm not so convinced I can win with Aprilia," he admitted, "I'm convinced we will give 100 percent and I don't have any expectations, because I have to see how the bike goes.
This year it was third in the Constructors, it was not the best and, from there, it's about trying to improve. I think I can bring a lot, I can bring consistency, speed, but it's clear, as we all saw, that there are races where we didn't see them and races where they were 15th.
We have to see where we start from. I think the warmth of the whole company and the heart they put into it will help me and we will surely be able to do great things."
