Considering the first day spent by Jorge Martin at Assen in this Dutch Grand Prix, we did not expect Jorge Martin to have such a celebration this Saturday, and in particular at the end of qualifying which he closed with third position. Victim of an infection which weighs down a convalescence which is equally tormenting his operated arm, the Pramac rider gave everything at the right time to hope to close this first part of the season while respecting his plan: to impress the Ducati staff just before the summer break in order to regain the upper hand over Bastianini in the duel for the red Ducati remaining to be filled for 2023…
Regarding this strategy, he only has this Sunday afternoon to succeed, but this race Assen won't be so easy. The fact remains that this Saturday gave him the keys to thinking about a possible podium. A good day for the teammate Johann zarco, a little less energetic since seventh on the starting grid explains as follows: “ I tried everything today and it was a really good day because yesterday I didn't have the confidence I needed. Today we made a change and I have incredible confidence in a Ducati which is starting to ride well and I feel very good with it ».
« I found a good position on the track the first time. I was behind Bezzecchi, Miller and Fabio. I drove very fast », remembers the pilot of 24 years about his Q2. “ In the second stint I really wanted to improve again. Unfortunately it was a little too much, I didn't get through turn 4 well. I couldn't get in properly. I then had a little too much lean, which led to the fall »
Martin continues: “ I got up and rolled. With broken handlebars and no fins, I was able to do a lap of 1'32. I am very well prepared for Sunday.” On this subject, he warns his adversaries: “ if I look at the pace of Fabio and Pecco from FP4, I'm a few tenths off, but with a good start I hope to be able to fight for the podium ».
Jorge Martin: “the problem will be at the end of the race, I will lose a little strength, but I hope it goes well"
He adds : " I feel very good throughout the course. But there are two or three corners where I lose time. I want to improve in this area, but of course I don't want to lose in the other corners. Hopefully if we improve we can get closer to the two in front of me. In racing, I'm generally a little better than in FP4 ».
Still, his physical condition will be an element to take into account: “ it's the last race before the summer break, we have time to rest afterwards », smiles the pilot Ducati Pramac. " But it was also hot and exhausting in Barcelona and at the Sachsenring, so we are ready for the race ».
As it is a sensitive subject, and he does not want to leave the Ducati staff in any doubt, he adds: “ you could see that during the last 3 or 4 races, I drove very well. I gained confidence and made the podium at the Catalan Grand Prix. Here I finally got the first line and I feel very good. I hope to continue like this, but my arm hurt a lot this morning, after taking an anti-inflammatory. For the race I will take something stronger. The problem will be at the end of the race, I will lose a little strength, but I hope everything is okay and it will go well », concluded the Ducati Pramac rider.
MotoGP Assen J2: qualifying
Credit classification motogp.com
