MotoGP: Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin battle is ‘definitely best' since Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo - Jack Miller

Updated 15/11/2024 at 23:16 GMT

Jack Miller believes this season's MotoGP battle between Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin has been the "best we've seen in nearly 10 years," and is close to the thrilling finale of the 2015 campaign between Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo. Martin is closing in on his maiden world title, but Bagnaia is 24 points behind with the final sprint and race to come.

Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin

Image credit: Getty Images

The 2024 MotoGP season is going down to the wire and Jack Miller believes this year’s battle between Francesco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin has been the greatest in almost a decade.

Just 24 points separate leader Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) and Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) in the championship standings, ahead of the final sprint race and Grand Prix of the season in Barcelona dubbed ‘The Rematch’ - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

A sprint race victory for Martin on Saturday will see him claim his maiden MotoGP title. However, Bagnaia is still in contention and was the fastest in Friday’s practice session.

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With everything on the line heading into the weekend, Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) feels the battle between the pair is up there with Valentino Rossi’s legendary, but controversial, victory over Jorge Lorenzo in 2015.

Lorenzo took the title nine years ago, but Rossi blamed six-time champion Marc Marquez for his inability to win the title in a feud that remains ongoing.

“Obviously since the Marc [Marquez] reign has gone away over the past couple of years, this is probably the best one that we’ve had,” Miller said.

“The Pecco [Francesco Bagnaia] and Fabio Quartararo one was pretty cool, as well. But this is definitely, by far, if we’re talking about title races, the best since Vale and Jorge in 2015. This is the best one we’ve seen in nearly 10 years.

“I am sure it will get closer and closer as the years go on. Next year will be interesting, with Marc on a factory bike and a lot of changes in the off-season. The championship is getting closer and closer.

“But [Bagnaia and Martin] are in a league of their b***** own! All you’ve got to do is look at the race in Sepang, to see how far in front those two were going.”

Martin is enjoying the pressure of the season finale as he chases his first Championship, while Bagnaia has been there before.

He ousted Fabio Quartararo to the Championship in 2022, before overcoming this year's rival last season to claim back-to-back titles.

The title could be decided on Saturday, but there is every chance the 2024 season will go down to the final day on Sunday - especially after Bagnaia's success in practice.

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Watch the 2024 MotoGP season finale live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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