Jorge Martin, first satellite team rider crowned MotoGP world champion

He will have trembled until the end, having to check his mirrors again and again. But ultimately no one came to dislodge him from the top of the MotoGP general classification. Sunday November 17, Jorge Martin (Ducati-Pramac) was crowned world champion in the premier motorcycling category for the first time in his career. A crowning achievement at the end of a season full of suspense and a final Barcelona Grand Prix which he had to finish in the top nine to secure the title. In front of his audience, the Spaniard even offered himself a final podium, finishing the race in third place.

Vice-world champion last year, the 26-year-old from Madrid dethroned the double title holder, Francesco Bagnaia. The Italian from the Ducati team has had a string of successes throughout the year and acquired his 11^e Sunday, in 20 races contested. But the 2024 MotoGP season ultimately rewarded ten points (508 to 498) for consistency, of which Jorge Martin is the best representative. Who incidentally becomes the first driver from a satellite team – a private team, not dependent on a manufacturer – to win the MotoGP title.

“There are a lot of emotionsexplained Jorge Martin with a smile at the end of the race, on Canal+. I cried, I was happy, then I cried again. I thank my family, my friends but also my competitors including Francesco. They pushed me to my limits. »

The “Martinator” as he calls himself – in homage to the film Terminator – has rarely missed a race weekend, as proven by his 16 podiums over the year, including three victories. In Barcelona, ​​he did not try to add style and one last success but set about maintaining his comfortable lead in the standings while avoiding a fall.

“I managed to stay competitive and give my bestwelcomed the pilot. It's been a long journey, I suffered a lot during my career. There were injuries, and it made me stronger. I worked a lot physically and mentally. I felt ready for the challenge. »

The French still far from the mark

His Italian team Pramac, which will join the Yamaha fold next season after ten years riding Ducatis, had already created a surprise last year by winning the team ranking thanks to Martin and Frenchman Johann Zarco.

In the shadow of the duel between Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia, the six-time Spanish world champion Marc Marquez (Ducati-Gresini) climbed onto the second step of the podium on Sunday on his home soil to secure third place in the championship ahead of the Italian Enea Bastianini (Ducati), seventh in Montmelo.

For his 255^e and last Grand Prix in MotoGP, the local of the stage Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia), born a few kilometers from the circuit, took fifth place at the end of a superb race where he initially protected his big friend Jorge Martin, before battling with his compatriot Alex Marquez (Ducati-Gresini), ultimately fourth.

The French Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) and Johann Zarco (Honda-LCR) ended their season by finishing 11th respectively.^e et 14^e. World champion in 2021, Quartararo was unable to join the fight at the top of the championship this season, and ultimately finished in an anonymous 13^e place.