MotoGP Netherlands Assen J2, Jorge Martin (Ducati Q2/S2): “This morning, I lost everything, I was absent”

A more than honest result for Jorge Martin at Assen. On this Saturday, the Spaniard could not compete with Pecco Bagnaia, of course, but still did well. Second in qualifying and the Sprint, he did not try to attack the Ducati official, for fear of taking too many unnecessary risks. Bagnaia comes back on him in the general, but the conservative spirit of the “Martinator” allows him to keep the advantage before tomorrow's Grand Prix. In 2022, it is here that the Italian regained control of his season against Fabio Quartararo. Can Bagnaia repeat against Martin?

Jorge Martin is having a somewhat strange weekend. He felt fast, as usual, but not as comfortable. This was seen yesterday during Practice, but also this morning. « I was like absent. I had lost all my points of reference that allowed me to be fast. Fortunately, I pulled myself together. I finally understood how to move into T2, that's where I lose everything." he admitted.

 

 

A great time in qualifying seemed to promise him pole, before Bagnaia did even better. « I had a very good pace during Q2. But during the Sprint, I wanted to be smarter and take fewer risks. At one point, I lost the front a little, so I took a little leeway. I still had to attack so as not to get caught by Maverick Vinales » he added. “Second place isn’t so bad” said Jorge Martin, happy to be able to keep a small but comfortable cushion of points ahead. However, the sanction has just fallen: for having hampered Raul Fernandez during Q2, Jorge Martin receives three penalty places on the grid. Click here if you would like to know more about this decision.

 

 

For tomorrow, the weather is still uncertain and this could affect tire choices. He tells us more: “Nothing is certain for Sunday, and if things go wrong, one could hesitate between soft and medium. » However, Pecco Bagnaia remains the favorite according to his words: “He’s at that stage where everything becomes easy. He brakes hard, accelerates early… He’s on another level” he concluded.

Do you think Jorge Martin will be fiercer tomorrow against a fiery Bagnaia? Tell us in the comments!

MotoGP Sprint Result at the 2024 Dutch Grand Prix:

 

 

Classification credit: MotoGP.com

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport