Jorge Martin credits three MotoGP riders who “made me the best” in 2024 title chase

Jorge Martin Reveals How MotoGP Rivals Pushed Him to Greatness in 2024 Title Triumph

Jorge Martin has attributed his rise to MotoGP glory in 2024 to the relentless competition from three of his closest championship rivals, acknowledging they made him “a better rider.”

In a nail-biting championship battle, Martin secured his first premier-class title by a narrow 10-point margin, becoming the first independent team rider to claim the crown in the modern MotoGP era. His victory also made him Ducati’s third world champion, following Francesco Bagnaia and Casey Stoner.

Martin’s journey to the title was marked by fierce competition, especially in the latter half of the season. While Bagnaia emerged as a dominant force with 11 wins to Martin’s three, the fight for supremacy also involved Gresini’s Marc Marquez and factory Ducati’s Enea Bastianini, who rounded out the top four in the standings.

Reflecting on his triumph, Martin said, “Pecco Bagnaia, Marc Marquez, and Enea Bastianini—all three have made me a better rider. They pushed me to give my all every race. When it wasn’t one of them, it was the other who could have won, and being in that constant battle made the difference.”

He continued, “This was an incredibly tough title to win. We set a historic points record, which shows just how competitive the season was. To have beaten them is an unbelievable feeling.”

Martin, who has also claimed he overcame “the best version” of Bagnaia and Marquez in 2024, is now gearing up for his title defense in 2025 with Aprilia. This comes after Ducati’s decision to prioritize Marquez over promoting Martin to its factory team, a move that saw Martin switch manufacturers.

During the post-season test in Barcelona, Martin debuted on Aprilia’s RS-GP but retained his traditional #89 plate, leaving fans wondering if he’ll adopt the coveted #1 plate for 2025.

Meanwhile, Bastianini has also parted ways with Ducati, joining KTM’s Tech3 squad for 2025, where he’ll race alongside former Aprilia star Maverick Viñales.

Martin’s 2024 championship is not just a testament to his skill but also a reflection of the fierce competition that shaped his historic journey to the top.