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Jorge Martin returns to the Misano circuit where last year he made a clean sweep of pole, sprint and Grand Prix wins. A dream weekend that gave rise to a comeback and a duel in the standings with Pecco that set alight the final stages of the 2023 season. One year on between the Spaniard and the Italian, the situation looks very different, with the Pramac team rider coming in with a 23-point advantage over his rival, fresh off a heavy zero at Aragon.
Jorge Martin avoids being a calculator, also because with 37 points up for grabs at each GP the balance on the track varies quickly and mistakes are paid for dearly, but it is undeniable that compared to last year the Spaniard has acquired much more consistency, as shown by the six consecutive second places in this last part of the championship. So the premises are good, even if the Spaniard lamented to Sky TV that he was not in perfect shape after vomiting last night.
What expectations do you have for this weekend, do you feel you are the stronger rider now that you have taken the lead in the standings?
"It's good to be back here in Misano, especially after last year's result," Martin said, "but now it's important to focus on this weekend, the level has gone up a lot in the last few races, I feel I've made progress. Misano is a circuit with much more grip than Aragon, which helps me with my riding style. I know it will be a great weekend here in Italy for Pecco and Enea, they train a lot here at Misano. It will be more difficult to replicate last year's result but I will still give my best."
How important is it to do well in this GP to put pressure on Pecco?
"Putting pressure on Pecco in Misano? He is already under pressure racing at home."
What made the difference in your superiority here in Misano last year?
"The sensations were very good from the first exits on the track, but it is also true that Pecco and Marc were injured" admitted the Spaniard sportingly. "They were not 100% and that was an advantage. I missed something in some areas of the track so I hope to improve this year, but winning at their home last year was like a punch on the table."
You rode the Panigale here at WDW, it seems like it's possible to tackle Turn 11 without braking.
"Yes, I had the opportunity. Before the race I asked Franco Morbidelli how to approach that corner and he told me not to brake. So I probably lost six tenths in that corner, but fortunately in MotoGP you have to brake," the Spaniard joked.
Could these two rounds at Misano prove to be decisive in terms of the championship?
"We'll see, all the races are crucial, everything counts in MotoGP. If you miss a race things become more difficult. I can only focus on myself and my results."
Last year you managed to gain an advantage over Pecco in the standings, but your fight ended in Valencia. You come from a series of podiums, what has changed this year?
"I don't think I've changed very much. It is true, at one point in the season Pecco began to have difficulties, after Misano I maintained the same level and but in the season finale he managed to recover. As always I give my best to try to win but it is not always possible, so I hope to get back to winning as soon as possible."
