Marco Bezzecchi
Jorge Martin claimed his maiden MotoGP title in 2024, despite winning eight fewer races than championship-rival Francesco Bagnaia.
The Spaniard managed to deny the Italian from achieving a special third consecutive championship as a few errors made earlier in the season ended up costing Ducati rider Bagnaia a real chance to fight Martin of Pramac.
Even winning four of the last five Grand Prix wasn’t enough for Bagnaia, who has a new teammate at Ducati for 2025 which may make his task to dethrone Martin – who will race for Aprilia next year – a little more difficult.
Marc Marquez arrives at Ducati to replace Enea Bastianini from Gresini with a year of experience on a Desmosedici bike, ready to launch a charge at a seventh MotoGP crown.
He showed glimpses of his former self in 2024 having quit Honda to join Gresini, with Marquez delivering just as many Grand Prix victories as eventual champion Martin.
So, Martin is aware that he needs to find more consistency if he wants to challenge for top honours again and that he must eliminate mistakes.
Jorge Martin says Francesco Bagnaia is ‘entering’ the group of greatest MotoGP riders
Both Martin and Bagnaia had immense respect for each other when racing on track this season. Their battle over the win at the Malaysian Grand Prix was one of many that proved to be an incredible watch for fans.
There’s no reason why that won’t last between the two even with Martin swapping a satellite Ducati bike at Pramac for a factory Aprilia machine next year.
READ MORE: Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia’s life outside of MotoGP from net worth to race number
Martin’s respect for Bagnaia has not diminished after beating him to the 2024 MotoGP title, either, with the Spaniard convinced his Italian rival is already up there with the greatest riders the premier class has seen.
Speaking to Crash, Martin admitted that Bagnaia may be entering the conversation surrounding the all-time greats of the sport now.
“I think Marquez is the best in history along with Valentino and Pecco is entering that group,” he said. “With the results he is getting, for me, he has already beaten [Casey] Stoner, for example.
“And I beat Pecco, so where does that put me? I don’t mean to brag. I have my feet on the ground, I know I still have a long way to go.”
Why Jorge Martin will struggle to retain his MotoGP crown in 2025
With Ducati giving Bastianini’s bike to Marquez over promoting Martin from Pramac, the reigning champion has joined Aprilia for 2025 as he bids to defend the title.
The problem there for Martin is that Aprilia haven’t finished any higher than fourth in the championship over the last three seasons and it’s an obvious downgrade.
So, arguably the two greatest riders on the grid in Marquez and Bagnaia are in the best position to win and probably will do barring any Aprilia miracle.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Ducati MotoGP rider Marc Marquez
It’s a shame for Martin who deserves the chance to fairly defend his title, but there’s not much he’s going to be able to do about it.
At least he’s in better shape than his rivals down at KTM who might even find themselves off the grid in the coming seasons following some financial troubles.
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