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MotoGP sees its final coming in thick and fast, in a hard-fought championship in which the winner of the ultimate challenge between Pecco and Martin is still uncertain. Three battlegrounds are still available for the two contenders, the first being in Buriram, which promises an all-Ducati head-to-head. Jorge Martin arrives there with a respectable calling card, a 20-point lead in the standings over his rival and 26 podiums in sprints and races. On paper, he has fewer wins than the Italian, but his consistency in this 2024 has paid off, irrespective of a few slips here and there.
It is also a different Martin than in 2023, the tension of a title challenge is no longer a new feeling for the Spaniard, who seems to have learned how to manage races and settle for the result where necessary, as happened in Australia behind Marc Marquez. Whether it is the calm given by a renewed self-confidence, or the conviction that he has in his hands the best possible chance for revenge after last year is unknown to us. As he himself points out, however, next year the Madrilenian will no longer be riding a Ducati, and only the future will tell whether he will get on his new Aprilia with the #1 of the winner or with the #89 of the defeated rival.
Last year you won here in Buriram, do you think you can repeat it this year and what would that mean in terms of the championship?
"I'm happy to be back here fighting for the title," the Spaniard began, "I'm having a very good last part of the season. We come from races like Indonesia, Japan and Australia where the level was always high. In the latter I would have liked to win it is clear, here in Thailand so I have a lot of confidence, the temperatures are high so it will be difficult, and both Marc and Pecco will be competitive. It's going to be a complicated weekend though, 20 points is not that many so it will be important to try to keep that lead and I know Pecco will be in great shape."
If you maintain the lead here in Thailand, you could become world champion as early as Malaysia.
"I prefer to focus on the present on this weekend, the first goal will be to get into Q2. The only thing I can have control over is how competitive I can be. The choice of tires will also be decisive, this year Michelin has brought different carcasses from last year."
How are you mentally experiencing this final rush of the championship?
"Obviously the tension and stress are high, as they were last year when I had more difficulty managing them, however. I'm trying to sleep peacefully, I'm fighting for the title and I'm at a track I like where I'll try to give it my all."
When you talk about giving it your all, does that mean you are willing to take risks?
"I will always try to give my best, but for example in a race like Australia the best was to be second. Here maybe I have a chance to win, but I don't think too much about making strategies, my rival at the moment is Pecco, I don't know what Marc will be able to do but the subject is always the same, use your head well and don't make mistakes, that for me means giving my best."
Last weekend we saw a big crash between Bezzecchi and Vinales in the sprint, aerodynamics played tricks on you in the past as well. Is this something that worries you and should be discussed more?
"We are professionals and we know the risks we take. In my opinion, the dynamics of the accident are clear, and the committee has made its decision about it. If you are overtaken by another rider you have to be cautious and anticipate braking. The same problem was in the past between me and Marc and nothing happened, we know these dynamics and how to handle them, so in my opinion the issue is clear."
Thailand will open the 2025 season, what do you think?
"At the moment I can't say what to expect, the Ducatis here have always been competitive but next year I won't be on one of them. In the end it's just another race anyway, it's a circuit I like and we will also do pre-season testing here so that will be good for me. The only unknown for sure will be the weather because it will be held at the beginning of the year."
One of the rumors these days is the possible return, after several years, of Andrea Iannone in MotoGP at Sepang, replacing Di Giannantonio on the GP23. What are your thoughts on this?
"It would be nice to see him back on a MotoGP bike after years and after what he went through. Now he is back in Superbike and he also won a race so he is showing that he still has a very high level. At World Ducati Week he was faster than me by a second so maybe he can do well. I think it would be a great opportunity for him to show people that he is still competitive."
