Jorge Martin’s lead in the World Championship lasted only a short time: A crash in Indonesia cost him a possible 25 points, which in the end title rival Francesco Bagnaia took
Everything actually went like clockwork for Jorge Martin in the MotoGP race in Indonesia. Already at the start the Pramac-Ducati-Pillot had left all opponents behind and extended his lead to three seconds within the first twelve laps. Everything looked like a commanding victory.
But then it happened in turn 11 of the 13th lap: Martin slipped off the front wheel and sank his race lead in the gravel – and with it the lead in the World Championship, which he had taken only yesterday with his victory in the sprint.
“It went perfectly. I had a great start and then tried to increase the gap a bit,” said Martin, describing his strong opening phase on Sunday. “
Collected dirt next to the line
“When I saw that I was 2.8 seconds ahead, I was really surprised and said to myself, ‘Ok, it’s time to stay calm.’ At turn 10 I went slightly off the line and it seemed a bit dirty. Then when I turned into turn 11, the front wheel slipped away, even though I wasn’t doing anything different from the lap before.”
So, from Martin’s point of view, it was the dirt on the track that caused his crash, not the choice of the soft front tyre. “I felt very good with it. The problem was the dirt in turn 10 that made me crash,” he explained.
MASSIVE, MASSIVE MOMENT!
THE UNSHAKEABLE MAN HAS WOBBLED! @88jorgemartin HAS THROWN IT AWAY! IndonesianGP pic.twitter.com/9jLUd3uAxb
– MotoGP™ (@MotoGP) October 15, 2023
At the time of the crash he was “still pushing” despite his big lead, the Pramac rider continued. “There were still 14 laps to go, so I was still focused on being fast. I think I rode an amazing race up to that point. “
Mistake was bound to happen sooner or later
“It is what it is. It certainly wasn’t easy to stay focused when you’re ahead by those seconds. But I was riding in a safe mode, let’s put it that way.”
That such a crash would happen to him in the race “was foreseeable sooner or later”, says Martin. “I’m just happy that my speed is there and I’m fast on all tracks. It was 14 races without a mistake. And now it just happened. “
“For the remaining races I am confident that I can fight for victory. […] I’m the fastest at the moment, so I have to stay calm. There are still ten races to go, so it’s still a long way to go,” he looked ahead.
Martin impressed by Bagnaia’s comeback
With Francesco Bagnaia’s win, Martin is now 18 points behind in the World Championship. Asked if he expected such a comeback from 13th on the grid, the Spaniard says: “I didn’t know that he was already third at the time of my crash. I tried to do my own race.”
“I am impressed with his comeback, but we all know Pecco is a bit stronger on Sunday. He did a great job,” he said in praise of Bagnaia’s performance.
Sometimes we win and today we learn! Dont worry I’ll be better tomorow. Crashing while leading by 3 secs hurts but we never give up pic.twitter.com/qQxnEcKlAa
– Jorge Martín Almoguera (@88jorgemartin) October 15, 2023
While Bagnaia rode the race on the hard front tyre, Maverick Vinales, who was his first chaser when Martin led, was on the soft compound. He ponders the Martin crash: “I don’t know. Maybe the soft front tyre wasn’t good enough for that rhythm.”
He himself could have followed Martin “maybe for five, six laps”, says the Aprilia rider. “But if I had done that, my rear tyre would have been at the end. I had to slow down because that wasn’t my pace.”
“I knew it was going to be a long race. I was focused so I didn’t overheat the rear tyre.” In the end it wasn’t enough for the win, but second place.
