English
Italiano
Winning the MotoGP World Championship is the crowning achievement of a career for any rider. It's a dream come true, the goal of a lifetime, often made up of sacrifices, successes, and defeats. Jorge Martin risked it all today. Some will say that the mathematics of the standings were on his side, but few can say that they experienced the same pressure that the Spanish rider must have felt in those last laps, halfway between not making mistakes and seeing his whole life flash in front of his visor again, with the corners of the track in the background. Jorge Martin conquered his dream. The fifth after Criville, Lorenzo, Marquez, and Mir and the third to do it on a Ducati after Stoner and Bagnaia. He succeeded with an independent team, Pramac. The first to do so since Valentino Rossi back in 2001.
And you never forget your first title. When Martin, playing trackside with a Martinator, mask broke that barrier, that wall that separated him from the coveted golden helmet. Not only did he break Bagnaia's succession of titles, but also his own fears, his own uncertainties. As he pointed out, the rivalry he's had with Bagnaia in these two years has been clean and sincere. They grew up on the tracks together, then followed different paths. Today, it was Jorge who emerged victorious at the end of an incredible season in which the two Ducati riders made the difference. But the respect they have for each other is something that can't help but make you smile, because nothing is taken for granted, and their friendship is always a good story ot tell.
How does it feel to hear the words "Jorge Martin, World Champion"?
"It's an incredible feeling, I still can't believe it, I'm in shock," the new 2024 World Champion said with excitement. "I already cried a lot, so maybe now I'll be able to be calmer with the media. I just want to celebrate, be with my team, my friends, my family. It's an emotional moment. It's been a long journey. My career hasn't been easy, I've had opportunities, but I created them myself. I worked hard and made many sacrifices to try to be a better man. Last season, I had the opportunity but I think I wasn't prepared to win. I wasn't ready to put my signature on it. This year, however, I had the feeling that this was my season. I thank everyone, the Pramac team, Ducati for giving me a magnificent bike over these four years, and for the opportunity to be able to fight until the end against a fantastic Bagnaia."
Before the rac,e you had a 19-point lead, but the pressure to make a mistake was there.
"It wasn't easy. Today, the conditions on the track weren't easy, and the choice of tires was a variable. I was looking at what my rivals chose, and they were all good, so I was a somewhat afraid, but then I opted for a conservative choice using the medium. I'm not sure it was the most competitive choice, but it worked. In any case, I was confident that, even with the worst option, I'd be able to finish in the top nine."
What did you think at the finish line?
"I didn't want to look at the laps. The first time I looked, I was already seven laps in. I saw that Aleix was behind me, and that reassured me. I knew he was a good ally in today's race. Coming seven laps from the end was the most difficult moment. If it was any other race, I would've finished third. Pecco and Marc were stronger. In those moments, my whole career passed in front of me. I thought of my father, every weekend after work, my mother cooking in the van when I raced in the minimotos, my grandfather who must be watching me from up there. I tried to keep my focus. The job wasn't over until I crossed the finish line. I started to get emotional already on the last lap. I cried at the finish line, then I laughed and cried again. I'm happy that almost all my family and friends are here."
Now you're name will be added to the winners trophy.
"Last season, during the videos, I was watching the trophy, and I wasn't prepared, I was afraid. I couldn't enjoy the moment. This year, I didn't even watch while filming, but I felt I'd be puttin my name on there. Today, I enjoyed the race. It almost felt like a training session. I'm glad I enjoyed the moment. I remember when I won the title in 2018 and the first thought was I wanted to win more. I couldn't enjoy that moment. That's what I'm going to do now. I think that whatever comes in the future will be a gift. I don't care. But I'll clearly continue to give it my all, and I'll start doing that with Aprilia."
Martinator was inspired by the Terminator, but which one are you, the bad one or the good one?
"I think I'm the good one. I think I'm a respectful rider. I always try to be fair to the other riders but, if they want to fight, I can fight, too."
What kind of season has this been?
"The key to this championship was learning from the past and not repeating the same mistakes. In life, you can make mistakes. The key is to live in the present. I don't know what's going happen in the future."
You've had several injuries in your career, the last one in Portimão in 2021. Did you ever think this moment would come?
"In January. I had some difficulties on a mental level. In the past season. I finished second, which was good, but I was afraid and full of uncertainties. I thought I'd never be world champion in the MotoGP. Thanks to my coach, I improved. I raced, counting on the hope of winning rather than the fear of losing. It was important to keep my focus. On my door, it said 'do not enter'. Being alone helped me keep my confidence."
You came from the Rookies Cup.
"Without that, I wouldn't be here. We were a normal family. We weren't poor, but we didn't have the money. They told me I was too young. When I came back the following year, I was the fastest. Maybe, without that advice, I would've left racing. Three years later, I won the rookies cup. It was an important moment."
Will you wear the number 1 on your fairing?
"I think now is the time to celebrate. Today, I'm number one. We'll have a month to think about it."
What does being MotoGP world champion mean to you?
"It's the closing of a circle of a perfect career. I could go home tomorrow, leave the bikes, and I'd be the happiest person on earth. I'm motivated for my future. Like Pecco says, we still have many years ahead. I beat the best Pecco and a great Marc. I managed to finish first. I'm in another world, and the words come out by themselves. Now that I've won a title, I'll be more prepared, but this success has meaning, especially for my people, for Paolo Campinoti. In twenty-five years, he has never had this opportunity."
When Ducati chose Enea you said, "let's make history". This year, Marquez was chosen at Mugello. Did this give you extra motivation?
"I didn't do it to prove Ducati wrong. I did it for myself and for my team. The Pramac team deserved it. I'm happy to have won with them. It's the best team I could win with."
This is the first time an independent team has won the title in modern times.
"This success was also Ducati's. Even if they didn't choose me, they gave me everything I needed to fight. Dall'Igna has always believed in me. Then circumstances in life can change. I don't think anyone here thought they'd let me to fight for this title, but they did, so my thanks also go to them."
Will your relationship with Bagnaia remain the same?
"I think the relationship that Bagnaia and I have should be admired. We were very close friends growing up. We lived together, and now we win world championships. I think it's a good story."
