The final of the 2024 MotoGP World Championship will be held in Barcelona. The event called Solidarity GP, organized as a substitute for the Valencia Grand Prix, will host the last round of the season, and therefore the climax of the duel between Jorge Martín and Francesco Bagnaia. The Italian is 24 points behind before going to Catalonia, and therefore knows that he will have to count on the help of a few drivers, to put himself between him and his opponent, if he wants to be able to maintain his title hopes .
After the legendary duel fought by the two men in Malaysia, during which they displayed a level of performance well above that of each of the twenty other drivers on the grid, the number 1 knows that the task will not be easy. To achieve this, he will therefore try to help some of his competitors from the start of the weekend. He had not done so in Malaysia, and afterwards regretted the lack of resistance put up by certain drivers against Jorge Martin.
“I knew that when I found my rhythm, it would be good enough to create the gap. But afterwards, I hoped, or I dreamed of seeing Enea or Marc come back on him and overtake him, to take back a few points, confides Bagnaia on MotoGP.com. We still achieved an incredible performance, we showed why we do the job differently. Thanks for the motorcycles. But I think we also realize something that we can't put into words. »
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However, there will be no question for the Italian of trying to slow down his rival, so that other drivers can take the advantage. At least that's what he assures us before encountering the pressure that will weigh on his shoulders during the weekend in Barcelona. “I'm not that type of guy, I just wanted to enjoy the race. And I had fun. If I had, I wouldn't have been happy. It's not something I have in my head. I don't think it's fair, and I want to win fairly.
“I still have one chance. But I really need help from others. Because even if I win, he will finish second. We are on another level. I will try to help anyone over the weekend. By giving my aspiration for someone to follow. »
Aleix Espargaro, a serious opponent
If Bagnaia does not specifically name the drivers he intends to help in Catalonia, there is no doubt that Enea Bastianini and Marc Marquez are the first on the list, as mentioned above by the reigning world champion. Other riders from the VR46 Riders Academy, who ride Ducati machines, could also serve as allies for the Italian.
Marco Bezzecchi, a great friend of Bagnaia, will eventually be there, but he is equipped with the Desmosedici GP23, last year's machine. Franco Morbidelli occupies a delicate position. Close to Pecco Bagnaia, the Pramac driver is also Jorge Martin's teammate. At the start of the main race in Malaysia, he eased off the throttle at turn 2 so as not to disrupt the duel between the two men.
Regardless, No. 1 knows the list of his opponents. “I also know that in Barcelona, Aleix Espargaró will be strong. But he will help Jorge all weekend. I just need someone to go between him and me. »
Another problem also arises, since Enea Bastianini has already openly declared that he will not help his teammate win the world title, preferring to serve his own interests first. The No. 23 is currently fighting for third place in the championship with Marc Márquez, and bonuses will be awarded if he succeeds.
READ ALSO > Bastianini will not help Bagnaia win the world title
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Team instructions at Ducati?
This does not prevent Bagnaia from trying his luck, by openly asking for the latter's help. “Mathematically still possible. We know it's quite difficult. In Barcelona, anything can happen. I fell in the sprint race [du GP de Catalogne] while I was ahead by a second, recalls the Ducati rider. So it's going to be tricky. Conditions will be more difficult compared to June because it will be cold. Two corners in Barcelona are quite tricky, namely turns two and five. It might be important to try to be competitive, but be calm. I also need Enea. »
It remains to be seen whether Ducati will finally decide to impose team instructions on the No. 23, which the manufacturer has until now always refused to do, ensuring that the two title contenders have equal chances.
On the other side of the curtain, Jorge Martin prepares to face a final in which anything can happen, but with the confidence provided by his points advantage.
“For me, the confidence doesn't change much coming to this race or coming to the next race. Of course, I'm confident about my work, about how I got here. I just think it’s a privilege to be at this stage. Fighting with a champion like Pecco is crazy. Of course, I am confident. But nothing's over until it's over. We have to be super focused” confides the championship leader before this final.
READ ALSO > Jorge Martín already knows who to dedicate his title to
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