MotoGP title contenders give verdict on Barcelona finale
“Barcelona is a good track for both of us…”
The recent flooding in Valencia has forced MotoGP to move its 2024 season finale to the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, a track which suits both contenders.
Francesco Bagnaia won the Catalan Grand Prix earlier this year, and would have secured a Sprint-Grand Prix double had he not crashed in Saturday’s half-distance race while leading on the final lap.
On the other hand, Jorge Martin has not won in the premier class in Barcelona, but he has been on the podium there in each of the last three Grands Prix.
“Barcelona is a good track for both of us,” championship leader Martin said in the post-race press conference at the Malaysian Grand Prix.
“Pecco [Francesco Bagnaia] won last Sunday there; I was second, quite close, for sure I missed a bit but we will understand why.”
Sepang winner Bagnaia added: “Mathematically it’s still possible. We know that it’s quite difficult, but in Barcelona everything can happen.
“I crashed in the Sprint race when I was leading by one second and trying to avoid any mistakes and I crashed the same.
“So, it will be tricky, the conditions will be more tough compared to June because it will be cold.
“Two corners in Barcelona are quite tricky: turn two and turn five; so it will be important to try to be so competitive, but be calm.”
Both riders also insisted that the change in location for the final round will no impact how they prepare for it.
“We adapt to everything every time,” Bagnaia said, “so for me no [it won’t change how I prepare]. In terms of performance, I perform better in Barcelona normally [compared to Valencia].
“But also it’s a track that’s more tricky, where the mistakes are very close, so you have to be more precise. But I don’t have a preference.”
Martin has a strong record in Barcelona, despite being without a win there in the premier class.
“For me, it’s the same,” he said. “I think I perform really similar in Barcelona and Valencia.
“In Montmelo I’ve been on the podium in 2022 and 2023, so I think I’m competitive.
“As Pecco says, there are some tricky corners, also now in November — let’s see, we can find a lot of different conditions: maybe it can rain, can be windy, can snow, I don’t know.
“I hope Michelin will find a nice solution, like Australia, but let’s see what happens.”
For Bagnaia, the task of overhauling his 24-point deficit to Martin with only 37 now available seems almost impossible, with third-placed Enea Bastianini finishing 10 seconds adrift in Malaysia.
“It’s something that we need to improve for the next one in Barcelona,” Bagnaia joked.
“I will try to give the slipstream to everybody during the weekend to make that someone will be in the middle. I have to win both races, so let’s see.”
In comparison, for Martin there is the assurance that the destiny of the championship is firmly in his control.
“For me, the confidence doesn’t change a lot coming to this race or coming to the next race,” he said.
“Also, I am confident about my work, how I arrive here. I just think that it’s a privilege to be at this point, battling with a champion like Pecco is crazy so for sure I’m confident, I’m happy that we take seven more points from this race.
“I feel a bit closer to the final target, but nothing is over until it’s over, so we need to be super-focused, and for sure believe until the end.”
Alex joined the Crash.net team in August of 2024 having covered consumer and racing motorcycle news at Visordown for two years.
