Moto GP, Martin admits: “Marquez and Bagnaia are favourites, I am in the top 3”

Bologna, January 3, 2025 – Jorge Martin wants to defend the title he won in 2024 with Ducati Pramac, the first ever to do so in Moto GP with a satellite team, but he is aware that he will not start as a favourite. Having left Borgo Panigale means, for the moment, not having the best bike on the grid at his disposal, consequently handing the title of number one and two contenders to Pecco bagnaia and Marc Marquez. Martin starts again from Aprilia, which certainly has important ambitions, but for now Ducati's superiority has been clear, with a season always closed on the top step of the podium with the exception of Austin, where it won Vinales on a Noale bike. Jorge cannot, therefore, be the favorite and is aware of the fact that he will need to grow a lot to get on par with his rivals, but this does not take away the possibility for Aprilia to have an excellent season. For now, the mission is to stay in the top 3, which means beating the other four Ducatis on the track.  

Martin: “Ducati superior, we are in top 3”

The urge to Aprilia to undermine Ducati's superiority is certified not only by the hiring of the reigning world champion, but also of Marco Bezzecchi, a talented rider limited in 2024 by a lack of feeling with the 2023 Desmosedici after an excellent 2022. By regaining confidence, Bez can return to the top. In short, if a better pairing than Martin and Bez were to be found, it would go directly to the official Ducati team composed of Pecco and Marc. But for a real and open duel to break out between the two Italian manufacturers, one last step from Aprilia is still needed, which has dropped significantly in the second part of 2024. Martin he knows he is not starting as the number one favorite and he spoke to his colleagues at AS like this: “I still imagine Ducati as the leading force in 2025 – his words – They have created a great pair of riders and Moto GP often goes through eras, there was Honda, then Yamaha and now there is Ducati. We will see who will be next”. Martin sees the two riders on the red bike as the main candidates for the title: “I think Pecco is the favourite and Marc is very close, I would put myself in the top 3 to fight in some races. In others we will suffer more but the important thing is to continue to improve”. For Jorge there is one thing more important than others: racing for an official team. Finally the Spaniard will be the leader at the head of a team of 150 people all dedicated to helping his performance. And for a rider it is an important thing: “I feel the responsibility of being the leader of the project – his answer – I will do everything possible to bring the bike to a high level and there are few Moto GP riders who arrive in an official team. It is a great achievement to be there and have 150 people who work only for you and listen to you. I can't wait to get started”. Next appointments in February with the last pre-season tests between Buriram and Sepang, then the start with the Thailand Grand Prix from 28 February to 2 March. In the end there is not that long to go… Read also - KTM crisis: withdrawal could happen in 2026