CNN spoke to MotoGP™ Championship leader Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing) ahead of #TheRematch decider, going through some of the biggest moments on his way to where he is now: on the verge of a possible maiden MotoGP™ title.
Check out the full Jorge Martin interview – with plenty covered in the chat, from rookie errors to renewed rivalries.
“We have achieved a lot of good results, I think, also in my personal life. I improved a lot every day, so I try to be a better man and a better rider and a better athlete. So, this is my target, and then winning is a consequence.
“(Riders) arrive to this level, MotoGP level, at 20 years old, 21 years old, so you are a rookie in life, no? For sure, you know how to ride motorbikes, but in terms of lifestyle, you just don’t know. You need to experience new things.
“When I was younger … I hung out a bit more. I was single, so I just wanted to have fun. But then you learn during the years, maybe. What I learned the most is the balance, I think. So, in summer I have my days to rest and enjoy. But then the opposite; when I’m focused, I am a hundred percent.”
Focused is what he needs to be this weekend. On that, the Martinator also repeats something he said a couple of times last year when his rivalry with Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) really lit up.
“I think it’s really respectful. I respect him. I think Pecco respects me. I think we always had nice fights, but always with really fair play.
“I think … it can go together, having a big rival but having a good relationship. I don’t understand why sometimes it’s as if you need to fight, and you have to be like opponents, no? We know each other from 10 years (old) already. We used to sleep in the same bedroom for two years. So, I think this helps us to have this good relationship.
“For sure, we are not friends. I mean, we kind of speak to each other and talk about everything if we meet in the paddock, but we don’t have that relationship out of the track.”
Read the full interview with Jorge Martin here.
