Jorge Martin: New MotoGP champion details ‘emotional’ last laps in Barcelona finale- 'I started crying'
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Updated 18/11/2024 at 07:41 GMT
Jorge Martin won his first MotoGP world championship, and the first won by a satellite team, on Sunday afternoon in Barcelona. He beat his great rival Francesco Bagnaia to glory in Spain after the Italian won on the day, and Martin did enough by claiming third place. He told TNT Sports of the emotional conclusion to the race.
Jorge Martin
Image credit: Getty Images
Jorge Martin revealed that he “started crying” after an “emotional” finale in Barcelona that clinched his first MotoGP world championship.
The Spaniard became the first rider to win a world title for a satellite team, beating the previous champion and his main title challenger, Francesco Bagnaia, to glory.
Bagnaia won the race in Catalonia after also winning the sprint edition on Saturday, but it was not enough to overhaul Martin’s lead.
Martin knew that ninth place or better would be sufficient for him to take the title, and his third-placed finish ensured that Bagnaia’s victory meant nothing in the wider picture.
After a celebratory lap, and then jumping into a crowd made up of his team-mates, he spoke to TNT Sports and was asked how it felt to be described as a MotoGP world champion.
He said: “It sounds amazing. I don't know what to say, I’m completely shocked. This is for my people, my family, my people who supported me, this is for them.”
Martin then admitted that the last two laps had been made difficult after he was overcome by emotion.
“The last couple of laps I couldn’t really ride,” he explained. “I started crying, it was a really emotional race.
“It’s been a long journey, big injuries, big crashes. Now we’re back here. Thanks to all the people, this is for them.
“Most of all for Valencia, Spanish riders, and we hope we can keep improving.”
Speaking moments before his friend and rival, Bagnaia paid tribute to Martin and his own team.
He said: “This day is for him. I want to say thanks to my team. They did an incredible job. Congratulations to Jorge.”
'Closing the circle of a perfect career'
Speaking at the 2024 MotoGP awards ceremony, Martin was crowned the champion, adding his name to the Champions Tower and reflecting on an incredible personal achievement.
With seven laps to go in Barcelona, the Spaniard's thoughts turned to his family, in particular his father, Angel Martin, who introduced him to the sport as a child.
Martin called the championship 'like closing the circle of a perfect career', having first attended the end-of-season gala as the 2014 Rookies Cup champion.
"So I think seven laps to go was the point when I started to realise," said Martin. "I started thinking about my family. My career was coming through my lens. I could see my dad, my mum when I was so, so young.
"I started to think too much, but then I refocused and said ‘Okay, Jorge, you need to finish the job. It’s not over until it’s over, so let’s try to finish the race.
"It’s like closing the circle of a perfect career. For me, I achieved my goal in life. So whatever is coming in the future is just a present. I’m so, so proud.
"I remember the first time I was here at the gala, I was the rookie champion. I remember being with Marc [Marquez], Valentino [Rossi] and Lorenzo [Dalla Porta], so for me it was incredible just to be here with them.
"Now I am the one, so it’s fantastic and I’m so, so proud."
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