Jorge Martin became the new MotoGP world champion for the first time. He also made history as the first-ever independent rider to become the world champion. Pecco Bagnaia’s struggle ended despite winning the Barcelona Grand prix. The Spaniard won the long-awaited World championship in front of his home crowd and he dedicated the championship victory to the people of Valencia. The Italian rider also made history of winning 11 races in a single season and equalled Mick Doohan’s record in MotoGP.
Jorge Martin your new champion
The Martinator was under immense pressure at the start from Bagnaia’s Ducati Teammate Enea Bastianini but the Champion held his nerve sticking with the third place throughout the race and with some help from the outgoing Apirlia rider Aleix Espargaro who challenged Bastianini for fourth.
1st INDEPENDENT World Champion in the #MotoGP era 🏆🎉
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) November 17, 2024
The achievements aren't over for @88jorgemartin today! 📌#MART1NATOR 🦾 pic.twitter.com/zGMAyHBRaL
Marc Marquez found his momentum at the start picked the second spot and held that throughout the race. Jorge Martin finished third which is more than enough for him to win the title. This is the prize for his consistency throughout the season and he will leave Ducati as the World champion and join Aprilia Racing next year.
Time for the BURNOUUUUUUT 💨✊#TheRematch belongs to @88jorgemartin 🏆#MART1NATOR 🦾 pic.twitter.com/m8ABp2Xgaq
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) November 17, 2024
Grasini Racing rider Alex Marquez passed Espargaro in the final stages and finished fourth. Espargaro gave one of the most memorable races in his career by helping his dear friend the Martinator and ended in fifth place. Brad Binder's late attack gave him the seventh spot ahead of Franco Morbidelli. VR 46 team rider Marco Bezzecchi who will exit the team next year finished ninth ahead of the rookie of the year Pedro Acosta who struggled with his tyre grip despite impressive performance at the start and ended in tenth place.
🔥🔥🔥 @88jorgemartin HAS OFFICIALLY TURNED INTO THE #MART1NATOR 🦾 pic.twitter.com/B0jHlvuVMf
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) November 17, 2024
After winning the race Martin was welcomed with a Terminator-style entrance and a helmet which he kept dearly throughout his celebrations. Francesco Bagnaia will go down fighting for his title and maybe next year he will be challenged even more as the 7-time world champion Marc Marquez will join the Factory Ducati team and will get an equal machine to fight against Pecco Bagnaia.