Jorge Martin reignited a simmering controversy over Enea Bastianini’s last-lap overtake in Misano, claiming the move that cost him five crucial points in the Emilia-Romagna MotoGP was “incorrect.” The Pramac rider, battling for the MotoGP championship lead, maintains that Bastianini’s aggressive pass, which saw the Italian go off-track before clipping Martin, deserved a penalty. “Those five points are mine,” Martin declared after Friday’s Thailand MotoGP practice.
Adding fuel to the tension, Martin contrasted the Misano incident with his recent battle against Marc Marquez in Australia. Though Marquez’s pass was equally bold, Martin conceded it was “okay” because Marquez didn’t make contact. “He played his cards and did an amazing race,” Martin said, highlighting the fine line between hard racing and overly aggressive moves.
Martin heads into the Thailand GP with a slim 20-point lead over Ducati’s Pecco Bagnaia, knowing that riders like Bastianini and Marquez, with nothing to lose in the championship fight, may take more risks. “Racing against someone like Enea or Marc is tough—they have nothing to lose,” Martin observed. “So they don’t care if they crash.”
The intensity of the weekend escalated as Marquez topped Friday’s timesheets, with Martin, Bastianini, and Bagnaia close behind, promising a high-stakes battle among Ducati riders. Admitting to pre-race nerves, Martin explained, “I was nervous, anticipating what was to come. But once I got on track, those ghosts disappeared.”
Reflecting on his practice performance, Martin felt competitive but struggled on the hard compound with worn tires. Looking ahead, he’s ready to capitalize if he finds himself in a position to pull away. “If I have the chance, I’ll go for it,” he said confidently. “If Pecco is strong, I’ll try to minimize any loss. There’s no point in getting upset about points; I just want to stay fast and competitive.”
With only three rounds remaining, Martin’s strategy is clear: focus on his own performance, seize every point he can, and avoid distractions as he inches closer to the championship crown.