The MotoGP trophy sparkles in all its glory between the two 2024 title contenders, Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin. The Italian has already placed two plaques on it, the Spaniard, on the other hand, is looking at it with the eyes of someone who has never been so close to putting his own on it. The Sepang circuit will be a crucial week for Jorge Martin's future. Here the Spaniard could score his first match point in the title race. The Pramac Ducati rider arrives there with a decent lead, 17 points separating him in the standings from Bagnaia, a haul won thanks to a solid consistency of results despite, as the Spaniard himself points out, "Pecco has achieved more on race Sundays."
On social media the hashtag "Rematch" is all the rage, and this battle actually has all the flavor of a rematch for the Spaniard who already came face to face against the defending champion last year. It is, however, a different Jorge Martin in 2024, from his rival as he himself admits "he has learned to be calmer," to better handle the tension of such a long challenge. Neither can afford to make any more mistakes, but perhaps the Spaniard has one more wild card to play this year even though nothing is decided yet.
You are at your first match point to win the world title.
"First of all I want to send all my support to the people in Spain affected by the flooding," the Spaniard began, "the news that has come in these days is incredible. As for me, I am calm and confident. It is a privilege to be here again with Pecco, fighting against a champion like him, it is incredible to think that we are both here again, with the same bikes, fighting for the championship. I have a lot of confidence in the work I have done to get here and I will give my best until the end both for me and for the people around me."
What has changed in you from last year?
"Last season I was really tense and really nervous. This year the pressure is always there but I think I've improved a lot, I'm much more mature now and I try to enjoy the moment more. I know I can lose it but I know I can win it. Last year I lost it and nothing happened, it's not the end of the world, and now I'm here fighting again."
Last year you were the outsider, now you are in a different position, what role do you think you will play this year?
"I think I am still the underdog, the outsider, I hope to be the underdog for many more years. I've matured, I've learned a lot from hard times, losing teaches you a lot. I have worked hard to be here, improving race after race."
At this point in the battle it will be important not to make mistakes, will you close the throttle a little to be more cautious?
"Both Pecco and I have made mistakes this year. What got me here was trying to always be at my best and here in Malaysia I will do the same. It is clear that there will also be room for intelligence but I will attack and try to be fast."
We talked about the rider's tension, what's the air like in the box instead?
"At the moment we are relaxed, I like to keep it that way. It's true last year we didn't win the title but we are still here, it wasn't the end of the world. My team has never won a title so there is a lot of confidence and excitement about it, but it's business as usual. We just have to keep working as we always have."
You prepare a lot before a race by watching videos, both yours and your opponent Bagnaia's.
"I always prepare a lot for a race, we are at the highest level in the world and physical preparation alone is not enough. I will look at the data but I will not do more than I have done so far, which is what brought me here."
This is not the first year that the challenge for the title goes on until the last race, what is it due to?
"I think it's a mental thing. The level is very high for both Pecco and me. Pecco was more successful on Sunday, but it seems that when one of us gains an advantage then makes a mistake. If none of us had made mistakes the season would already be over."
There have been positive and negative moments this season.
"The crash at Sachsenring from first with two laps to go was one of the most difficult moments this year, but it was also exciting to have come out of it recovering. You learn from your mistakes and that's what I do."
Is there anything specific you learned from Pecco that helped you grow as a rider?
"I have learned from Pecco since I was a rookie. We have both improved over the years, he has always been strong in braking while I had something in corner exit, but now I feel I have come very close. It is a privilege to fight with him for the title, he is very calm while I tend to be more impulsive and maybe I have learned to be calmer like him in certain situations."
What happened in Valencia of course is unbelievable, but for you fighting for the title has an additional meaning. What do you think would be an alternative if the GP were not to take place?
"It's a difficult situation for everyone, clearly it would be better to know as soon as possible what decision will be made, also for us that we might approach this race differently. I think racing in Valencia will be difficult, not only because of the track conditions but also out of respect for the people involved. Racing elsewhere would be the best option but I think whatever the final choice will be will be the right one. It's clear that for me Valencia would be the best circuit at which to close the championship, I can't say what the alternatives might be. Certainly not Assen, Pecco is very strong there!" he then jokingly concludes.
