MotoGp, Bagnaia and Martin on Valencia: “Racing there is not right”
The two leaders of the MotoGP, who will challenge each other until the last corner to win the title, join the appeal to avoid the final race in a Valencia devastated by the flood
Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia are in contention for the MotoGP world title
Sepang, 31 October 2024 - They return to speak at a press conference SepangOn the occasion of Malaysian GP, the first two in the rankings of the MotoGP, George Martin e Pecco BagnaiaThere is a 17-point gap between the two, with the Spaniard ahead, but at the moment attention is rightly going beyond the race, given the dramatic hours he is experiencing Valencia and its population. The Spanish city, which is expected to host the last Grand Prix of the MotoGP 2024, is in fact hit by a terrible flood and the civil protection speaks of at least 95 dead, many missing and at least 120 displaced.
The words of the two pilots
The two champions intervened on the matter, adding to the appeal of the numerous pilots who have asked for don't hold the race there, even if the track seems ok. Martin said: “First of all I want to express my support and my condolences for the Valencian population. Racing in Valencia will be difficult, even if the circuit is ok. It would also be difficult for logistics, I think it would be better to race on another track. Alternative to Valencia? It is difficult to name other circuits, let's wait. I wouldn't want to go there”. Reigning champion Bagnaia added: “First of all it is important to remember what is happening in Valencia, they are going through a terrible moment and we want to be close to the population. The race is a moment of celebration and Racing in two weeks in Valencia is not right. But I am not the one who decides, Dorna will make the right decision. Canceling the last race? It might not be right but I am not the one who decides. Let's wait, whatever they decide will be fine”.
The statements on the race
Bringing the conversation back to the upcoming race, Martin is well aware of being the big favourite for the title: “I can win the title, I will give 100% to bring home the trophy. It is a privilege to still be here with Pecco a year later. I will fight until the end, for myself and for my team. It is time not to make mistakes, we have already made enough. I have come to this point giving 100% and I will do the same here in Sepang, while still trying to be intelligent”. The Spaniard then explained: “I've always felt a bit like an outsider, but today I'm simply more mature. I learned from suffering, from difficult moments, and I also learned to lose. It's not the end of the world if I don't win the championship, after all last year the same thing happened. But we have great hope, we have to do what we did this season".
On the race issue, Pecco knows he is playing for the World Championship and invites calm, putting pressure on his opponent: "I must not make mistakes, Jorge is ahead. I was in his situation last year and it is not the easiest condition, we must remain calm - he underlined -. We have already experienced the same situation in 2022 and 2023, being calm is the winning strategy. Right now I have to risk more, he has a 17-point lead. He could also always finish second. The best way to attack is to open the gas, I will try to win both races obviously trying not to make mistakes”.
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