Jorge Martin is one step away from crowning the dream of a lifetime, of any rider's life, to win the title in the premier class. Third place in Saturday's Barcelona sprint, at the end of a race in which he found himself fighting with Bastianini's Ducati, was the first act of a weekend that for the Spanish rider has the flavor of a rematch, not only with Pecco but with Ducati itself. In fact, their paths will part, however it turns out, from next Tuesday when Jorge will get on the Aprilia.
Sunday will therefore be a very long day, as equally long will be those 24 laps in which Jorge Martin will lead a battle first and foremost against himself. After all, the predictions speak clearly; while for Bagnaia overturning them requires him to win, Martin will only need to finish in the top nine, score in hand, to close the games with his Italian rival.
In essence, for the Spaniard it will be a matter of not making mistakes, and when fighting for the first world title the pressure, as is normal, is felt. Jorge Martin, however, appears smiling and confident, the philosophy that has brought him within a step of the top so far has been winning: after all, it's just another race weekend.
You are seven points away from winning the world title, what are your thoughts?
"I feel good, full of confidence," comments Martin , " I think I've been preparing for this moment my whole life. It was a pretty tense race, I tried to get ahead, I had the pace to do it, but then I started to fight with Enea and lost some time.
I tried to pass him 2 or 3 times, I think it was a good fight. I think in a way it helped me to stay 100 percent focused, on the last lap I thought I had him under control but then he passed me again. Today we gained some more points that we needed to be a little more comfortable, but the goal for tomorrow's race remains the same.
I won't make a race to try to finish ninth, because I might finish tenth, I think a podium or a top 5 are goals within our reach. I will have to keep my concentration, the fight will not be necessary on the last lap that's clear, I will try to use my head and do what I have to do to win this title."
Tomorrow you would only need to finish ninth to win the title.
"Tomorrow will be a long day, but I knew we would make it to Sunday. That's something I accept, I'm ready, in the end it's just another race. I hope I can celebrate at the end of it all."
What was your feeling on the track today?
"With this temperature I didn't feel comfortable with the hard tire, we hadn't tried it much. That's why I was surprised that Pecco chose it, to try it you had to be brave, at first I thought he did it by way of strategy, but in the end I trusted my feelings and opted for the medium, even though it was on the limit at the end."
The first corner was perhaps the most critical moment.
"I made a good start, passed Aleix and Marc, tried to pass Pecco, then Enea came and passed us all, he made a great start."
Did you expect this fight with Enea?
"He got a second place, that was what he had to do. In the end he also has his own personal fight with Marc to deal with. I don't deny that I was a little frustrated at the end of the race, but I think he had a good race, he surprised me."
Psychological pressure will also play a key role in this challenge.
"Anything can happen, but my philosophy remains the same, I will only focus on what I have control over, like the tires. I will have to try not to look at what Pecco, Enea and the others will do, but just focus on my race, I will race against myself. Then it is clear that the nervousness will be there and it will be more than any other weekend, but I think it is normal."
Do you think it is a 'romantic' thing for the championship to be decided at the last race?
"I think it is difficult for both Pecco and me, but to finally conclude this title race will be exciting in any case."
