Back at the top: Jorge Martin impresses the MotoGP competition

– Jorge Martin is back in the top field – and how. At the Grand Prix in Austin, the 2024 world champion delivered a performance that earned recognition throughout the MotoGP paddock. Riders, rivals, and teammates alike found words of praise for his return to top form.

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Martin himself was particularly emotional after the race. “I am so, so grateful,” he explained, hinting at how challenging the last year had been for him.

Because his Austin podium was the first time since his title win at the 2024 season finale that the Spaniard was back on the podium. What followed then was an almost unprecedented series of injuries that forced Martin to sit out most of the past season and work on his recovery.

Martin wants to “enjoy the moment” while it lasts

He had lived through “a low moment,” he looks back today, and now appreciates the current success all the more. “I am really happy about my performance and try to enjoy the moment, to be present here and now, because you never know what will happen next time,” Martin emphasizes.

Yet his race was anything but easy. At times, he seemed not to be optimally positioned tactically. He believed it was the best option to stay behind Pedro Acosta and Marco Bezzecchi, but in hindsight, it turned out that he overheated the front tire in the process. Nevertheless, he stuck with it: “I tried to push Marco until the end, but he was incredibly fast.”

Photo gallery: The career highlights of Jorge Martin

The fact that Martin was even able to apply pressure until the final phase surprised even himself. Because as recently as Thursday, he had been rather pessimistic given the physical demands of the Circuit of the Americas.

“I thought it would be much worse.” Although he felt “incredibly good” on Saturday, a crash and pain in his hand caused him trouble.

In the decisive phase of the race, he finally had to drop back – for physical reasons: “In the last three laps I had to give up because my left arm was completely finished.” Even braking became a problem, which is why he focused on finishing the race safely. Nevertheless, it was enough for a strong second place after he had already won the sprint.

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Quartararo, Bagnaia, Bezzecchi pay respect

The competition followed Martin’s comeback with great respect. Fabio Quartararo was particularly impressed by the Spaniard’s mental strength after the sprint.

Given the injuries Martin had to endure last year, it was “something very special” to win again. With a wink, he added: “Now that he has won, he can stay a bit further back.”

Francesco Bagnaia, who fought against Martin for the title in 2023 and 2024, also paid tribute. Martin deserved this success: “He has worked incredibly hard from the first test, from the first race. There’s nothing more to say about it, just congratulations to him.”

Marco Bezzecchi, Martin’s teammate and one of the direct opponents on the track, was not very surprised by Martin’s performance. “No, not really,” he said when asked if the comeback surprised him. Martin deserved this success, especially after the difficult times he had lived through.

For Bezzecchi, the competition from his teammate is even a gain: a fast Martin is “only better” for development and at the same time an additional motivation.

But nothing changes in Bezzecchi’s own approach: “I’m fighting with 21 riders, not just one.” Nevertheless, it is clear that Martin’s pace further raises the level within the Aprilia factory team and provides additional impulses.

So after Austin, one impression remains above all: Jorge Martin is not just back. Despite physical setbacks, he is once again a serious factor at the top of MotoGP. His own attitude fits this: giving up is out of the question for him. “I try, as always, never to give up.”

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