MotoGP runner-up Jorge Martin has Ducati newcomer Marc Marquez on his radar for 2024, but not necessarily as the favorite – he’s already thinking about Valencia
After being the strongest rider in the second half of the 2023 MotoGP season and keeping the World Championship battle open until the final race day of the season, Pramac Ducati rider Jorge Martin was ultimately beaten by Ducati factory rider Francesco Bagnaia in Valencia at the end of November
But after finishing runner-up in just his third season in the premier class, Martin is one of the top contenders to win the 2024 MotoGP title. Another must be Bagnaia, who successfully defended his 2022 world title. No Ducati rider before him has ever achieved this. In addition to Bagnaia and Martin, there are several in the Ducati camp alone who, on paper, are also in contention to win the 2024 title.
For example, there is Marco Bezzecchi in the VR46 team, who finished third in the 2023 World Championship, and last but not least Ducati newcomer Marc Marquez in the Gresini team. The six-time MotoGP world champion is also the one that vice world champion Martin has in mind when looking ahead to the 2024 season, although not necessarily as the world championship favorite.
“Marc on a Ducati will obviously be another incentive. It will be interesting and it’s a very good opportunity for me to beat one of the best in history, maybe even the best. If I can do that, then I will also consider myself one of the best riders in history,” said Martin.
The 25-year-old Spaniard, who has been riding MotoGP since 2021, made these statements on the occasion of the premiere of a documentary about him. It is called “Martinator, voluntad de hierro” (Martinator, iron will) and has been released on the streaming platform DAZN Spain.
“My goal for 2024 is not to be 14 points behind in the World Championship when I arrive in Valencia, but to have enough of a lead so that I can enjoy it,” is Martin’s clear challenge for the new racing year, and he is already thinking about the finale on November 17th.
