“Without the Red Bull Rookies Cup, I wouldn't be here. I can assure you“, humbly testifies Jorge Martin, crowned world champion in the premier category of the Motorcycle Grand Prix just a week ago on the Montmelo circuit in Barcelona (Spain).
From a “normal family, not that we were poor, but normal“, the Madrid native showed up for the first time at the selections of the can cup organized by the famous and rich energy drink: “I was quite young, I had never tried a 125, but I was fast. They told me: you are young, come back next year“.
The kid, barely 13 years old, then gets back on his pocketbike and hits the road in the company of his parents Angel Martin and Susana Almoguera (big fan of Alex Criville, first and only Spanish GP500 champion): “to go from Madrid to the circuits of the Mediterranean coast, Valencia and Barcelona, we traveled every weekend. Both my parents worked Monday to Friday, so it was very difficult, even though I was just having fun“, he remembers.
Returning to the Red Bull Rookies Cup selections in 2012, the man who then wore number 88 passed the test with flying colors this time. “Thanks to their advice I progressed and when they took me on I was very emotional because if they hadn't done it I think I would have given up on the bike“…
Jorge Martin almost abandoned the bike. Twice.
After a first break-in season in 2012 partially spoiled by an injury (12th in the final ranking), Jorge Martin revealed himself in 2013: he finished second in this Red Bull Rookies Cup, largely beaten however by Karel Hanika, a Czech driver well known to fans of 'Motorcycle endurance.
Big winner in 2014 ahead of his compatriot Joan Mir (Suzuki MotoGP champion during the not-so-funny 2020 MotoGP season), Jorge won his ticket for the Grand Prix on Mahindra, in the Mapfre team then Aspar. However, it was on the Honda Gresini and in 2018 that the Spaniard won his first world title in Moto3, the same year that Pecco Bagnaia and Marquez Marquez were respectively crowned in Moto2 and MotoGP!
Although not spectacular and successful, his two seasons in Moto2 gave him access to the premier category which he discovered within the Pramac team, alongside Johann Zarco. The only double champion in the intermediate category of motorcycle GPs, our international “Jojo” also won the Red Bull Rookies Cup in 2007, the very first edition!
Unfortunately for Jorge Martin, a nasty injury at the start of the season at Portimao delayed his emergence at the highest level. His fractures of the tibia, fibula and hands (!) kept him away from the circuits for many weeks and doubts once again set in about his desire to continue this promising but painful career…
“The hardest thing to overcome was all the pain in my body“, underlines the small pilot (1.68 m for 63 kg) with great talent and strong mentality. “I still had problems when I won [sa première course] in Austria [plus tard dans l’année]“.
Extremely fast but far too inconsistent in 2022, the “best beginner” of MotoGP 2021 reaches a new milestone in 2023: the n°89 (“his” n°88 being already used in MotoGP by Miguel Oliveira) of the Pramac team still, dispute the world title to Ducati official number 1, Pecco Bagnaia, until the final race…
Red Bull, breeder of MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3 champions!
This year finally, the target is reached by Martinator, “a nickname my father gave me because of my strength, my ability to overcome and my perseverance. Certain chapters of my sporting career have reflected this nickname, such as the tendon injury in my hand requiring a “bionic” glove in 2018, or the bad fall in Portimao in 2021“, explains the new champion to another of his loyal sponsors, Alpinestars.
Red Bull is pleased with the success of its foals: “for the first time ever, Rookies Cup students won the championship in all three categories in the same season“. Indeed, Ai Ogura (5th in 2017 with two victories and despite missing four races) won in Moto2.
In Moto3, David Alonso captured the trophy in his second season, accumulating 18 Grand Prix successes to date, already as many as Martin! In 2024, the phenomenal Colombian has racked up 14 victories, including 7 in a row! At 18 years old, he has undoubtedly not finished making people talk about him. In the meantime, it was with Jorge Martin that the “Red Bull” recently spoke. Interview.
Tell us how you felt after missing the title last year. How long did you analyze the situation and what conclusion did you reach?
Jorge Martin : It's always hard to lose a championship, but it also serves as a lesson for the following year. And that's exactly what happened: I learned a lot and improved in many areas such as emotions, impulse control and handling critical moments. In addition, I know how to enjoy the present moment better, which was more difficult for me before.
Did you prepare for the 2024 season differently than others, after coming so close to the goal?
JM: I prepared thinking about everything that happened during the 2023 season, the good times and the bad. I trained a lot more and focused on everything I couldn't do last year.
What have you changed in your mental approach during the 2024 season: do you seem more in control in all situations?
JM: This season I worked on different aspects than last season, including personal control, managing emotions and enjoying the present moment. My personal team is much more united and I have been able to surround myself with people who help me on a daily basis and who know how to manage my environment so that I am as comfortable as possible.
Have there been any changes in the way you train or prepare mentally? The season is long. How do you stay focused and tough?
JM: The types of training have remained more or less the same. What I changed was the duration and technique. Cycling takes up most of my time, combined with bodybuilding and a bit of motorcycling. I also managed to manage my diet better.
Your great rival in the championship, Pecco Bagnaia, and you were once roommates in Moto3: do you take this rivalry personally and what emotion did the fight for the title bring you this year?
JM: The rivalry is always the same regardless of the driver. At the end of the day, we all have the same stake and what we want is to beat the driver next to us, in front or behind, it doesn't matter, but to win. I have a good relationship with Pecco, we have known each other for years and he is a great professional as well as a great driver. But it makes no difference to me whether it's him or someone else racing for the title against me, I would do the same with anyone.
What are the three main factors that have led to the overall success of your MotoGP career? What role does the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup play in this success?
JM: Persistence, confidence and effort. These are three aspects that the Red Bull Rookies Cup brings from the start, because the level is very high and you always have to be focused to win.
In difficult times, what do you tell yourself to keep moving forward?
JM: I look back and see what I have accomplished and who I have become. I look around me and see the team I have, both personally and professionally. So I tell myself that we must move forward.
