MotoGP Malaysia J3: the Jorge Martin (Ducati/AB) rocket crashes again after takeoff

On Saturday during qualifying, Jorge Martin shattered the track record at Sepang but on Sunday in the Malaysian Grand Prix race, he did the same with his Ducati GP22. The Pramac rider, who regrets staying for 2023, once again missed the opportunity to demonstrate that he was better than the one Ducati chose to put on a red bike, Enea Bastianini. However, his demonstrated speed can at least put him as the favorite for the BMW challenge rewarding the best pole sitter of the year. A beautiful car from the sports range of the Munich manufacturer and of the vintage which was won during this Malaysian weekend by Pecco Bagnaia.

George Martin is a rocket that launches hard but still misses its orbit. There is no doubt that when it gets there, it will overtake many of its rivals. But for now, there is still room for progress. On Saturday, he revealed himself to be the “Martinator” by beating the absolute record at the Sepang circuit, and on Sunday, he seemed to be able to play the big part by displaying a racing pace necessary to escape alone towards what would have could have been his first victory of the season. But everything was ruined on lap seven when the front of his Ducati closed unexpectedly in the second sector, and the Madrid native found himself sitting on the gravel.

Martin benefited at this moment from an advantage of 1,2 seconds over his closest pursuer, Pecco Bagnaia, unable to reproduce the enormous turn by turn of the teammate of Johann zarco. The Spaniard was thus convinced that he could open a gap in the first loops of the race so as not to have to worry about a possible team order, which would have forced him to leave his position to the focused Italian driver on his fight for the MotoGP title.

Jorge Martin: “ I entered this turn 1 km/h faster than the previous lap« 

« I entered this corner 1 km/h faster than the previous lap, it was a shame », summarized Jorge Martin after finishing the Malaysian Grand Prix. " I was trying to maintain the tires and the physique, but in these conditions it is easy to make a mistake », Commented number 89, who now regrets six withdrawals this year. The Spaniard nevertheless remains with the only positive aspect of Sunday: “ I take the experience and a lesson for the future with me. We leave Malaysia knowing that we were strong this weekend. I will try to finish the season as best as possible and then focus on 2023. I know I can fight with the best MotoGP riders ».

Jorge felt very comfortable riding his Desmosedici, and this encouraged him to change the engine map of his bike to make it faster and try to extend the advantage he had over his pursuers: “ At the start, I was eight tenths ahead of Pecco, then I put more than a second on him. I knew I could escape, so I changed the mapping to attack, but then I fell. Today I just wanted to win. I'm calm because I can say I tried ».

He finishes : " I was trying to manage the race, but there are always a lot of variables. I think in the last four races we have been very competitive, our bike is fast, so I'm going to Valencia with complete confidence ».

MotoGP Malaysia J3: ranking

Credit classification motogp.com