Jorge Martin is eager to bounce back after his fall in Indonesia, which cost him the championship lead. He made his intentions clear right from the start of the Australian GP’s first day of practice. Leading the morning session, the Pramac team’s Spanish rider finished the day in fourth place, marking himself as a contender on the Phillip Island circuit.

“I believe I was very strong today, stronger than what the standings might suggest,” Martin commented, reflecting on his performance. “I was fast from the morning onwards. Of course, I used the tire to set a time, but I was the quickest with the used mediums. I continued with those tires in the afternoon too. I was highly competitive even with the soft rear, but then with the used medium, I was even faster. So, choosing which tire to use for the rear will be a tough decision.”

Martin’s Friday performance is even more promising given the challenges faced by championship leader Francesco Bagnaia, who missed the Top 10 and will have to tackle Q1 for the second consecutive time.

“Well, it’s clear that if he didn’t make it directly to Q2, he’s facing some issues. But we’ve seen him in tougher situations before, and he’s always managed to bounce back. So, I expect him to do the same tomorrow,” Jorge remarked.

However, Martin is well aware of Bagnaia’s strengths and capabilities. What gives Martin hope is not Bagnaia’s current challenges but how he himself has responded after the Mandalika error.

“I don’t think it’s essential that Pecco didn’t make it to Q1. What you want after a challenging weekend is to be fast on the next track, and we’ve achieved that. I’m happy and confident that we can maintain this speed,” the Spanish rider asserted.

Looking ahead to Saturday at Phillip Island, the organizers have decided to move the long race to tomorrow due to the expected weather conditions on Sunday.

“Whatever comes our way, we’re ready for it. I have an even faster pace than last season, and I’m prepared for the race. I hope we can race on Sunday, but it all depends on the weather,” Martin concluded.

He also expressed his hopes for improvements to the Phillip Island track by 2024, noting that the circuit has more bumps compared to the previous season, especially in turns 2, 4, 8, and the last one. “I think they’ll need to make some adjustments for next year, but for now, it’s the same for everyone. We just need to understand the track and adapt,” Jorge added.

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Pecco Bagnaia found himself on the back foot after a challenging Friday and Saturday. He finished 13th in the pole and 8th in the Sprint Race, witnessing Jorge Martín close a nearly two-race gap to snatch the championship lead. However, Sunday’s race was pivotal not just for points but also for the psychological battle between the contenders.

Determined from the outset, Bagnaia made assertive and clean overtakes, climbing up the ranks from his 13th starting position. Mid-race, he was well-placed, eyeing a podium finish to salvage some pride from the Grand Prix. But, in a twist typical of MotoGP, the leading Martín crashed, allowing Bagnaia to push harder. After overtaking Viñales, he clinched victory in Indonesia, reclaiming the championship lead by 18 points over Martín.

Post-race, Bagnaia had a clear message for his recent critics. He gestured at the camera, stating, “Often, people talk too much. Sometimes it’s better to wait for the results. That was for them.”

Reflecting on his challenging period after the Catalunya GP, Bagnaia said, “I needed a result like this. After the Barcelona GP, I went through a lot. I struggled, felt off in many situations, and pushing became hard. I’m deeply grateful to my team, especially the electronics guys. We made a significant step forward this morning. We truly deserved this victory, and I’m proud of it.”

Discussing his mental recovery after the previous day’s challenges, Bagnaia mentioned watching an episode about David Beckham, who likely faced more criticism than him. He emphasized the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive people. “My partner Domizia always backs me when she sees I’m not at my best. Conversations with my team, family, and Valentino helped. Domizia even chatted about her shopping day. Last night, I realized I needed a result like today’s.”

On the significance of this victory, Bagnaia compared it to his win in Malaysia the previous year. He acknowledged Martín’s speed but emphasized the importance of this win after a challenging period. It’s a morale boost, not just for him but also for his team.

Regarding the challenges in recent GPs, Bagnaia said, “I knew the potential was there; we just had to figure out certain things. Everything clicked today – the mindset, the team. After yesterday’s sprint and qualifying, I was quite upset. We worked hard last night, and during the race, I gave my best.”

Bagnaia’s win in Indonesia marks the first time since Melandri in Turkey 2006 that a MotoGP rider has won a race without starting in the top four rows. “Such achievements make me happy. It’s true that overtaking in MotoGP is challenging now, but if you’re faster, you can make your move,” he added.

On Martín’s crash, Bagnaia said, “We’re performing at such a high level that it doesn’t take much to fall. I’ve had many accidents similar to Jorge’s, like in Austin and India. Our bike is fast, but understanding it is crucial. There are moments when you’re so confident that you need to be cautious.”

As the new MotoGP leader, Bagnaia concluded, “In the first half of the championship, I was leading and had extended my lead to 66 points with the same mindset. I started losing points post-Barcelona, and Martín became very strong. I worked to rediscover my feelings on the bike, and today I was ahead of everyone.”

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Pecco Bagnaia, the reigning MotoGP World Champion, recently shared his thoughts on various topics during an interview with the ‘La Caja’ program on DAZN.

“Being with Ducati ensures that you are among the top ten riders, but there’s a vast difference between being in the top ten and winning,” the Italian rider began. He then reflected on his journey this season, stating, “The crashes I had in Austin and Argentina taught me valuable lessons from the setbacks. I have improved a lot since then.”

Bagnaia also touched upon his personality, admitting, “I’m not an easy person to deal with. I see this both within the team and outside the tracks.”

One of the main highlights of the interview was the inevitable comparisons with MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi. Bagnaia firmly stated, “I am not Rossi’s heir. What the greatest riders in history have achieved is their merit, not someone else’s. They did the same with [Marc] Márquez, and it’s not the same.”

Currently, Bagnaia leads the premier class championship with 319 points, just three points ahead of Jorge Martín.

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