The Barcelona Grand Prix delivered an exciting MotoGP season finale. Jorge Martin, riding for Pramac, secured his first world title by finishing third, while Francesco Bagnaia claimed his 11th win of the year.
Here’s a look back at a memorable race that concluded a season full of surprises and twists in MotoGP, and an already lengendary crowning moment in the history of this sport.
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Jorge Martin: a champion on a satellite team
By finishing third in Sunday’s Grand Prix at the Circuit de Barcelona, Jorge Martin made history by becoming the MotoGP champion on a satellite bike. It’s the first time this feat has been achieved since the 500cc era and Valentino Rossi in 2001. Starting the race with a 19-point lead, Martin knew that finishing within the top nine would be enough to secure the title. From the start, Martin opted for a cautious approach. Starting from fourth, he quickly climbed to second before yielding to Marquez. Rather than taking unnecessary risks, he focused on maintaining his pace and avoided pointless battles, knowing third place would suffice. He knew better than to push too hard and risk a crash. His exemplary race management reflects his growing maturity in MotoGP.
AND NEW! @88jorgemartin fires to glory 🔥
He is the 2024 #MotoGP WORLD CHAMPION! 🏆#MART1NATOR🦾 pic.twitter.com/T9sHgc2Gc7
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) November 17, 2024
Bagnaia: the king without a crown
Despite a commanding victory, Bagnaia had to relinquish his champion’s crown to Martin. Starting from pole, the Ducati rider led most of the race with an impressive pace. He held off relentless pressure from Marc Marquez, who continued to close the gap until the final laps. However, the championship gap was simply too wide to bridge. With a 10-point deficit to Martin after Barcelona, Bagnaia ends the season as the runner-up. A disappointment for the Ducati factory rider, but his 11 wins this year remain a remarkable achievement, which amounts to roughly one Grand Prix out of two.
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Battles and surprises in the MotoGP paddock
The rest of the field also provided plenty of action. Marc Marquez solidified his third place in the championship after an intense battle with Enea Bastianini. The latter, after a mistake at Turn 2, slipped to seventh, allowing Marquez to gain the upper hand. Meanwhile, Brad Binder impressed yet again. Starting from 18th, the KTM rider delivered a stellar comeback to finish sixth, overtaking Bastianini in the final moments. Rookie sensation Pedro Acosta faced a challenging race, struggling with grip toward the end and finishing 10th. Further back, French rider Fabio Quartararo put in a solid performance for Yamaha, finishing 11th, while Honda’s Johann Zarco salvaged a 14th-place finish, despite a lackluster performance for the team. To conclude, big congratulations to Jorge and Prima Pramac Racing for this stunning MotoGP 2024 season!
This article explores Jorge Martin’s historic MotoGP championship win, the intense battle between Bagnaia and Marquez, and the surprises delivered by rising stars and veterans alike during the Barcelona Grand Prix.
Featured image: MotoGP
