This Doha Grand Prix was the closest in the history of the major Grand Prix category and it was a rookie who led it for three-quarters of the time. Jorge Martin is the one and as he started from his first pole position, he showed in a meeting that the managers of Ducati had been hollow in bringing him up to MotoGP. Something to be happy about. Except when you are an ambitious champion. Because if you listen to the Spaniard carefully, he hoped, deep down, better than this third place, although magnificent.
We will recall in passing that for a certain Marc Marquez in 2013, no rookie started from pole position nor reached a podium in MotoGP. As many exploits as George Martin achieved in this Doha Grand Prix. Here he is in the big leagues. But like all adults, his appetite is insatiable...
The 24-year-old Pramac Ducati rider declared: “ I wanted to stay in the lead because I felt like I could handle the rear tire well at the start. I suspected that towards the end I would be at the limit with the tire. Riding in front was useful for me because I could choose the braking points myself. With a full tank it was difficult in the first laps. But my running pace was considerable. I was happy with that ».
Jorge Martin: “my fear was that I would be overtaken”
« When I heard the first engines, right behind me, I kept pushing because I thought I had to stay in front because if anyone passed me I would be in trouble » he admits. “ That was my fear, because my race pace was not exceptional. You could see with Fabio that he had a little more speed than me. But I'm not complaining about this third place because I rode really brilliantly and I matured a lot. But I still need more rounds and experience. Despite these shortcomings, I managed to get my first podium! But I'm not 100% satisfied because I only lost second place two turns before the finish line... " finished George Martin, which we will certainly see again very quickly in front…
MotoGP Qatar 2 J3: classification
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
