Agencies
Barcelona
Jorge Martin claimed his first MotoGP title with a third-place finish at the season-ending race in Barcelona on Sunday, which was won by his nearest challenger Francesco Bagnaia.
Italian Bagnaia started the day 19 points behind Martin, but victory at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was not enough to overhaul the Spaniard.
"I am completely shocked,” said Pramac rider Martin, who took the title by 10 points. "This is for my family, for the people who are supporting me, this is for them.
"I started crying at the end. It was a really emotional race. It’s been a long journey with a lot of crashes and big injuries but finally we are here. I hope we can keep improving and enjoy the moment.”
The 26-year-old needed to finish no lower than ninth to become the champion if Ducati’s Bagnaia won the race from pole position.
Two-time defending champion Bagnaia had won the Malaysian Grand Prix earlier this month to take the title battle to the final weekend, before a sprint win on Saturday cut his rival’s lead further.
Martin, who will join Aprilia for next season, had challenged the 27-year-old Italian for the title in 2023, but crashed out early in the season-ending Valencia GP.
"This day is for him,” added Bagnaia, who won 11 of the season’s 20 races compared to Martin’s three. "I think he is deserving of what he achieved.”
Six-time world champion Marc Marquez finished second in Sunday’s race as Martin dedicated his maiden championship to the city of Valencia.
Martin, who will be leaving Pramac for Aprilia next season after being denied a ride alongside Bagnaia in the factory Ducati team, had made himself the favourite for the title with a remarkably consistent season.
He only won three Grand Prix all season but his third-place on Sunday was the 32nd time this season across the 40 sprints and Grand Prix that he made the podium.
After finishing third in Saturday’s sprint he knew he had only to finish in the top nine to secure the title, turning the tables on Bagnaia who went into last year’s final race with a 21-point lead.
Bagnaia, however, has finished the season in blistering form, his victory in Barcelona giving him his fourth win over the final five races of the season.
Victory in Saturday’s sprint, his seventh of the season, gave him a sniff of a chance.
Martin let them battle it out up front, guarding his track position as Aleix Espargaro and Alex Marquez toughed it out behind him.
Bagnaia had the control and pace to see off Marquez, who won the vote ahead of Martin to be his Ducati teammate next season, and duly crossed for a full-deserved if ultimately pyrrhic victory.
"This weekend we did all things possible,” Bagnaia told TNT.
"Winning 11 races leaves me speechless. Not many have done that so I’m happy about that.
"We missed a bit of luck this season. We were the strongest all season, winning all those races, being consistently fast.
"But today is for Jorge who did a very good season.
"He understood that with our potential, he was good enough to finish second many times. I think he did it 17 times, me just two. These things can make a difference in a championship.
"It’s great to have this kind of rider. He’s a very fair guy and we know each other very well.
"I enjoyed the season. I would like to be the champion but sometimes that cannot happen.”
The season finale was scheduled to be held in Valencia on 15 November but was moved because of the deadly floods in the area.