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It could only be his great friend Jorge Martin the first guest of Aleix Espargaró's new podcast. Guest in the living room of the former Spanish rider and Honda test rider, the reigning World Champion told his story in a heart-to-heart chat between past and present. It started precisely from the difficult moment experienced by Martin in this beginning of the season: the double injury experienced in testing, which will keep him away from his Aprilia even in Texas, after having already forced him to skip the first two Rounds of the season.
"A short time ago I was at the top and now I am at the lowest point for an athlete, which is being injured. It's been two weeks without being able to ride, lift weights, or do anything to get me close to riding the bike again. Obviously I'm doing a lot of rehabilitation, but it's been difficult, because I'm a restless guy, almost hyperactive, and I've missed sports in my daily life. But in the end I have no choice but to keep looking forward. I can't wait to ride a bike, get on a motorcycle, and do whatever it takes to burn some calories, " Martin recounted with a smile. "The goal was to get back at Austin but that's impossible, so now we've moved to Qatar."
Jorge is not the type to throw in the towel and has amply demonstrated this throughout his career, overcoming several difficult moments. Especially in the early days of his career.
"The day before yesterday I was in the sauna, looking at my house and I said to myself, 'Jorge, you came from nowhere and look where you are.' I remembered that when I arrived in Andorra I was downloading Netflix from Valera's house (his manager, ed.) who had Wi-Fi, because I didn't have it. It wasn't that long ago, it was seven years ago. Now I have a house, cars and a garage. I think it's incredible and it was one of the few times I stopped to think about how far I've come," the Madrid native recounted, also pausing to reflect on what success represents for him.
"I've never thought about what success is in itself, but I think it's giving everything you have - he noted - I think success is not only related to winning, but to giving 100 percent and going as far as possible. Not everyone can win World Championships and races, but they can be successful people or feel successful. Perhaps success can be represented by those people who persist even if things go wrong, who generally do not throw in the towel in life. Those are the people who are ultimately successful."
Among the behind-the-scenes stories told by the two-time world champion is also his first memory related to the world of motorcycle racing: "The first time I saw Valentino Rossi was in 2006 in Valencia. We took a picture together, Valentino touched my head, and I remember spending a week not wanting to wash my hair, because Valentino was my idol at the time. I would shower by putting my hands on top of my head so that Valentino's caress would not go away. I was 8 years old and then I got to ride with him in MotoGP in 2021, in his last year. It was very special for me. Also, at the end of the race in Valencia, I was among the first to shake his hand after he retired. I had a special relationship with Valentino. I was probably one of many for him, but it was special for me."
How did you feel after becoming champion at Barcelona? "A series of images of my life passed in front of me in those last few meters, then at the finish line I burst into tears. The next month was incredible, with all the media boom that followed. I couldn't get around Madrid, a weight was lifted off my shoulders. Now, however, it's already in the past, I see the trophy and think about what comes next, it's crazy. It's clear that you have to enjoy the moment, but I hope it's the beginning."
Winning the 2024 title was a special moment for the Spaniard, who fulfilled his and his entire family's dream.
"My father was a motorcyclist and, I never thought about it, but he used to go to races with his flag to cheer Crivillé and then his son became MotoGP World Champion. I think my father's dream was not for me to become a World Champion or a rider, but he gave me the opportunity to ride a motorcycle and encouraged me. I think he is incredible and he is very proud of me. For a motorcyclist it must be incredible for his son to be a champion," he said, "My dream? It was to become World Champion, now I have a bit of a void in that sense."
Getting this high has required several sacrifices for the Aprilia rider, however.
"One stage that I would have liked to experience is going to university. I would have liked to study physical therapy or at least something related to the human body. At that time, people my age were going to study abroad, so I had two or three years of great loneliness, where I would see my friends at the university partying and so on. But now, taking stock, I can say that it has been much better for me," said Martin, who has no regrets about what his career has been so far.
"I don't regret anything because everything has led me to where I am today," he underlined, "Thinking back for example to my crash in Germany, when I first broke my ankle, it's clear that I wish I hadn't, but it's one of those lessons that led me to be World Champion. I don't regret anything, because the important thing is to learn something from every fall, mistake, or difficult moment."
One particularly important aspect for the Spaniard was being able to learn how to handle pressure.
"I manage pressure much better today than before. Before I couldn't handle it. Until 2023 I used to get so angry with myself and all the people around me, and so we couldn't work well. Everything changed dramatically in 2024, when I started to work on it more, and that helped me become World Champion," he recounted, "I think there are three ways of looking at pressure: you can like it, you can accept it, or you can reject it. I went from feeling nervous to accepting it. I still have to take that step to like it, because I think it takes a very high level of self-confidence to do that. I don't think I have that yet, but that's my goal. I am a person full of doubt, always have been. I remember the Moto3 days when I used to get anxious at the start. I am a doubt-producing machine, so I have to keep working on my confidence. Like right now, injured, without having tested the Aprilia and with the world championship already started. I can only manage what I have control over, and tomorrow will be another day."
Ogura's good performance at this start of the season bodes well for Martin."It's clear, but not knowing how and if I will be able to adapt to the bike generates a lot of anxiety and stress for me," he commented, "I'm looking forward to recovering so I can test the bike and work with the team, with whom I'm already very comfortable."
Talking about how he arrived at Aprilia, Jorge recalled, "At Mugello Enea overtook me at the last corner and it was gnawing at me, a matter of rider pride. When I got to the parc fermé I found a bad atmosphere and decided I didn't want to be there, but at that moment I still thought we were going to conclude with Ducati. Then Albert (Valera, ed.) came to me and simply said 'let's go,' we could have gone anywhere but there it was immediate and I thought, 'okay let's go and find another option.' I went to Rivola thinking 'convince me, convince me,' I think it was a heart-driven choice. I'm proud to be where I am, in life everything happens for a reason. To bring a brand that has never won the World Championship, to fight and try to win it is my number one goal."
