Aleix Espargaro expressed disapproval, stating, "It wasn't right; he spent the entire race supporting Jorge Martin!" This comment from Espargaro has upset a fellow competitor following the Barcelona MotoGP.

Enea Bastianini voiced disapproval of Aleix Espargaro following the MotoGP event in Barcelona on Sunday.

Jorge Martin secured the 2024 title by taking third place in the grand prix, while his close friend Espargaro, known for his strong performances on this particular track, finished in fifth position.

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During the race, Aprilia's Espargaro was engaged in an intense battle with Ducati's factory rider Bastianini for the fourth position.

Bastianini ended up in seventh place, which caused him to miss out on securing third place in the overall championship standings.

Following the incident, he expressed his dissatisfaction, stating, "I am upset with Aleix's actions."

"In my opinion, it's not right. He doesn't consider himself a colleague of Martin."

"It was not a tidy matter."

"If I hadn't had the confrontation with Aleix, I might have been able to achieve more personally."

"He dedicated the entire race to Martin! Naturally, he shares a friendship with Jorge."

"However, you are unable to perform such an action."

Bastianini expressed his dissatisfaction, stating, "I wasn't very pleased with how things went today."

"It was my final race with Ducati, and it didn't go as I had hoped."

"I gave it my all, but I struggled with the front from the beginning. This issue has occurred frequently."

"I was quick during the sprint, but we noticed an issue in the longer race."

"In the beginning, I faced numerous defeats. Today, I was defeated by Aleix."

"I couldn't achieve anything beyond what I did."

Bastianinia was unable to secure third place in the championship, which went to Marc Marquez instead.

Bastianini will be a part of Tech3 KTM starting next year.

'Bastianini Nears Bagnaia and Martin'

Enea Bastianini's two-year stint with the factory Ducati team has come to an end. In his debut year, injuries severely hampered his performance, and this year, he struggled to maintain a steady pace alongside championship contenders Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin.

He asserted that the capability is nearly on par with Pecco and Jorge.

"However, I lacked consistency and overlooked an element."

"When I was leading during both the qualifying and the race, I ended up staying in the back. Later, the roles were reversed. This situation isn’t favorable for winning the championship."

"If you're aiming for victory, you need to alter your strategy."

"I aim to have better luck in the future stages of my career. I'm confident that I can achieve more than what I will accomplish in the 2024 season."

"An exceptional squad," Bastianini remarked regarding his teammate Bagnaia. "We had numerous battles, all carried out with great respect for one another."

"We were a remarkable and cohesive group. Our efforts were focused on increasing our speed."

"The quality improved due to the collaboration we engaged in."

"Occasionally, we experimented with a new component on the motorcycle and engaged in extensive discussions to provide the best possible feedback to Ducati."

"The materials were also delivered to [Pramac]."

Bastianini commented on the new titleholder, stating, "Jorge has almost achieved perfection throughout this championship."

"I am pleased for him. He put in a great deal of effort to reach this outcome."

"He handled the race with exceptional skill, executing it flawlessly."

"I look forward to a future showdown with him. He'll be quick when riding the Aprilia."

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter at Sky Sports, where he covered a wide range of sports, including American sports, football, and Formula 1.

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Jorge Martin expressed his concerns, saying, "I was filled with fears, thinking, 'I might never become a MotoGP champion.'" He added, "It's still hard for me to grasp; I'm truly in disbelief!"

In a dramatic season conclusion in Barcelona on Sunday, Jorge Martin made history by becoming the first Independent rider to clinch a championship in the MotoGP era.

Pramac Ducati's standout rider secured Spain's fifth championship title in the premier class by finishing third in a race where Francesco Bagnaia, the defending double champion from the official Ducati team, emerged victorious.

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"I'm in disbelief and utterly shocked!" exclaimed Martin, just after the podium festivities. "My emotions are all over the place, and I've shed many tears!"

"At this moment, I simply wish to rejoice alongside my team, family, and friends."

"It's been a lengthy path. My professional life hasn't been simple. Certainly, I've had some great chances, but I believe I created those opportunities. I've put in a lot of effort and made numerous sacrifices."

"During the previous season, I had the chance, but I believe I wasn't ready to finalize the agreement, so to speak. However, this year I felt it was my time."

"I am grateful to Pramac and Ducati for providing me with an incredible bike over the past four years and allowing me to compete fiercely alongside the exceptional Pecco."

Martin expressed that he was very frightened. Due to Martin's strong performance throughout this season, he only required a ninth-place result to secure his standing, assuming Bagnaia claimed his eleventh victory of the year in the grand prix.

However, putting that into practice is more challenging, particularly given that all three rear tire choices were suitable for the 24-lap race.

"Today's challenging conditions made selecting the right tires a tough decision. Some riders opted for hard tires, others for soft, and some chose medium. This situation made me quite apprehensive."

"I observed the competitors and thought to myself, 'wow, they're all impressive.' It's quite possible to end up in tenth place if they perform well. Everyone in the top ten has the ability to succeed."

Both Bagnaia and second-place finisher Marc Marquez opted for the soft rear tire, but Martin, who had earlier suggested he would follow Bagnaia's choice, decided to stay with his original plan and used the medium tire.

"I felt frightened initially, but eventually, I decided that the medium tyres were the safest option," he stated. "It was challenging, and perhaps the soft tyres offered better performance, but I managed to succeed."

"I believed in myself. I was confident that even with the 'least favorable' tire, I could still make it into the top nine, and I stayed very focused."

"Today was a thrilling experience for me at the race. It felt like I was in a supermoto training session, brushing elbows and shoulders, but this time on a MotoGP bike! I'm incredibly happy to have relished every moment of it."

As he approached the pinnacle moment of his career, he was still filled with a multitude of emotions.

"I believe that even if this had been a regular race, like those held here in May, I would have still come in third place because Marc and Pecco were more competitive. I gave it my all. However, the final 7 laps were definitely more challenging."

"I began to recall numerous memories. It felt like my entire career was flashing through my mind. I thought of my Dad, who would dedicate his weekends after work to training with me. I also remembered my Mum, who would prepare meals while I competed in pocket bike races. I thought about my Grandfather, who is no longer with us, but I believe he's watching over me from above."

"In an effort to stay present, I kept reminding myself, 'Jorge, you have to complete what you started. It's not over until you reach the end.' As I entered the final lap, emotions overwhelmed me, and I could feel tears welling up."

This level of excitement was markedly different from how the year started.

Martin admitted to facing challenges with his mental health. The 26-year-old rider expressed his difficulties, mentioning that he faltered against Bagnaia in the closing event of last season.

"The previous season went really well. Although I ended up in second place, I felt quite content. However, when January came around, I began experiencing significant anxiety and fear. I kept thinking, 'What if I never become a MotoGP champion?'"

"My coach played a significant role in my improvement, allowing me to concentrate more on the prospect of winning rather than being afraid of losing."

"If I don't win, it's alright. It's not the end of the world or my life."

"I was filled with optimism about winning, not just for myself, but also for my team, my community, and my family. This sense of hope was a significant source of motivation for me."

Martin can enjoy his Sunday before he begins getting ready for his new role as a factory rider for Aprilia. He is set to make his debut on Tuesday at the Barcelona circuit.

Martin expressed that anything that happens in his future will feel like a gift after this experience. He stated that he is committed to being the best version of himself and aims to achieve victory with Aprilia, but is also focused on enjoying the present moment.

For two decades, Peter has been a fixture in the paddock, witnessing the rise and fall of Valentino Rossi's career. He is closely following the developments surrounding Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's struggles with injuries.

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Marc Marquez discloses the technical changes that contributed to his podium finish at the Barcelona MotoGP.

"I have to commend my technician who worked tirelessly overnight—I doubt he got much sleep."

Marc Marquez wrapped up his stint with the Gresini Ducati team by securing a second-place finish, which ensured he took third place in the riders' championship.

Despite Marquez facing challenges at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, as seen in Saturday's Sprint where he ended up in a far-off seventh place, the outcome still unfolded.

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“Today was challenging, particularly given that yesterday's Sprint race was tough,” Marquez stated during the post-race press conference in Barcelona.

He mentioned that making a few technical adjustments to his bike's setup was crucial to his better performance on Sunday.

"My technician was exceptional throughout the night—I suspect he doesn't get much sleep."

"We reviewed all our actions and essentially returned to the motorcycle setup we began with during the first practice session."

"During the warm-up, I began to feel an improvement, and in the race, I was able to ride according to my own style."

"Certainly, we had areas where we lacked strength, but I excelled in my strengths, which was incredibly encouraging."

Throughout the race, Marquez stayed closely behind Francesco Bagnaia, narrowing the gap at various moments. However, as the race neared its end, he fell back and did not pose a significant threat to take the lead.

Marquez mentioned that he spent several laps trailing behind Pecco, attempting to manage the circumstances.

"In the final five laps, I couldn't keep up with him. Each time I got near, the front end began to lose grip significantly due to the heat."

"Today, he outpaced me significantly. However, securing second place is the perfect conclusion to this wonderful chapter of my career with the Gresini team, which I thoroughly enjoyed. It's the ideal way to express my gratitude."

In August 2024, Alex became a member of the Crash.net team after spending two years reporting on consumer and racing motorcycle news at Visordown.

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EXCLUSIVE: Ducati Compelled to Make Tough Choice Regarding Jorge Martin

Interview with Davide Tardozzi from Barcelona Paddock, conducted by Lewis Duncan

According to Ducati's team manager, Davide Tardozzi, the brand had to make some difficult emotional choices regarding their 2025 MotoGP roster, which has resulted in the loss of the new world champion.

Jorge Martin, the Pramac racer, secured the 2024 championship during the last event of the season at the Solidarity Grand Prix. He clinched the title by finishing in third place, even as his competitor Francesco Bagnaia took the victory.

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Martin is set to depart from Ducati and will be transitioning to Aprilia for the 2025 season. He will make his first appearance on the track during the post-season test on Tuesday.

In 2025, Martin was initially selected to join the factory Ducati squad alongside Bagnaia. However, the team changed its decision and opted to elevate Marc Marquez to the position after the eight-time world champion declined a proposal to ride a factory GP25 with the Pramac team.

As a result of the aftermath, Ducati saw Pramac move to Yamaha, Enea Bastianini switch to KTM, and both Martin and Marco Bezzecchi transfer to Aprilia.

When questioned by Crash.net regarding any regrets after Martin's championship victory in the summer, Tardozzi replied, "You see, this year Ducati had the 'Fabulous Four,' as the top four competitors in the championship belong to our team."

"Regrettably, we had to make several tough choices concerning matters of the heart."

"In the end, we made the decision, which means that, unfortunately, Martin and Enea will have to depart from Ducati since the preference is to have a different factory motorcycle."

"It’s unfortunate, but it was beyond repair. We hope the best for them moving forward."

There was another choice to be made, and regrettably, this led Pramac to switch to Yamaha and Jorge to join Aprilia.

"However, I believe Ducati will continue to be competitive next year, and it's important for us to demonstrate to the fans that our decision was the correct one."

As Ducati confronts the possibility that the number one plate—still undecided by Martin—might be seen on a factory Aprilia in 2025, Tardozzi maintains that the Bologna-based manufacturer remains “the true victor” of this year's world championship.

"Ultimately, to be completely frank, it was clear that we hoped Pecco would secure the championship victory," he stated.

"We are the Ducati Lenovo team, yet ultimately, it's Ducati that emerges as the true victor of 2024 since riders occupying the first, second, third, and fourth positions in the championship all represent Ducati."

Martin rides for Ducati. The Pramac team receives comprehensive backing from Ducati, including the use of factory bikes and the assistance of seven Ducati staff members.

"In conclusion, it seems that Ducati Factory emerged as the true victor of this championship."

Addressing Bagnaia's narrow championship loss by a margin of 10 points, despite securing victory in 11 grand prix races, Tardozzi commented, "Regrettably, he committed some errors."

"Eight did-not-finishes (DNFs) are the reason he failed to secure the championship title."

"Martin had eight zeroes compared to three, yet ultimately, he held the top spot for two years, which I believe was well-earned due to his champion status."

"I'm confident that he will compete for the title again next year."

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EXCLUSIVE: Insights into Marc Marquez's new look and branding for the offseason test

Information on Marc Marquez's first appearance with the factory Ducati team this Tuesday, reported by Lewis Duncan

Information has come to light regarding the color scheme and branding of Marc Marquez's factory Ducati during the MotoGP postseason test held on Tuesday.

A year after his initial appearance with Ducati during the post-2024 season test in Valencia with the Gresini team, Marquez is set to join the factory team's garage this Tuesday.

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According to information obtained by Crash.net, Marquez is set to participate in Tuesday's event wearing factory team colors. However, his motorcycle and his racing suit will not feature any branding, except for the Michelin logo and other neutral sponsor logos.

Marquez is associated with Red Bull as an athlete, whereas the official Ducati team is linked with Monster Energy.

There are additional conflicts with sponsors, including Marquez's connection with Samsung, which is at odds with Ducati's main sponsorship deal with Lenovo.

At this point, it is uncertain what the future holds for Marquez’s personal sponsors, including Red Bull, which have played a crucial role in supporting him through the challenging initial period of his recovery from the arm fracture he sustained at the 2020 Spanish Grand Prix.

During the previous year’s test session in Valencia with the Gresini team, Marquez rode a GP23 motorcycle. The bike did not feature the team’s colors, and his leathers showcased only his personal sponsors.

Last year, Marquez's initial trial on the Ducati created significant buzz, as his debut with the official team is anticipated to be a major discussion topic this week.

Ducati's team manager, Davide Tardozzi, has taken steps to temper the high hopes surrounding Marquez's potential performance on the motorcycle.

Tardozzi expressed to Crash.net that their sole anticipation is to collaborate and become familiar with one another.

On Tuesday, there won't be any victories to celebrate. The focus should be on putting in the effort. The person who leads on Tuesday evening won't necessarily be the champion the following year.

During the summer, Marquez entered into a two-year contract with Ducati to compete alongside Francesco Bagnaia, a two-time world champion. He declined an opportunity to ride a factory GP25 for Pramac.

Due to strategic maneuvering, Jorge Martin has joined Aprilia, with the Spanish rider becoming part of the Italian team as the current world champion.

Throughout the season, Marquez has been racing on the GP23 with the Gresini team and has successfully secured victories in three grand prix events.

However, on Tuesday in Barcelona, he will have the opportunity to experience Ducati's GP24, the motorcycle that clinched this year's championship, as well as the prototype GP25, both for the first time.

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Barcelona MotoGP Rider Evaluations: Terrible Marks for a Pair of Aprilia Competitors

Crash.net provides an analysis of the performance ratings for each MotoGP rider at the final race of the season, the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP.

Here are our evaluations of the riders following the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP, where five participants received scores under five.

Francesco Bagnaia – 9

Francesco Bagnaia had an outstanding performance in Barcelona, possibly showcasing his best weekend of the season. Despite an unusual crash during the start practice in FP1 at the first turn, he made very few errors throughout the event. He expertly managed the Sprint race and similarly kept Marc Marquez in check during the Grand Prix, even using a rear tire that, after Saturday's sessions, was not widely regarded as a viable choice for the race.

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However, he drops his 10 because he began Sunday as the World Champion and finished it as an ex-champion. There was little he could do on Sunday, but maybe that's the issue — it should have never reached that point, and he had the power to stop it from happening.

Marc Marquez – 8

By his usual exceptional standards, Marc Marquez often struggles at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. His only truly commanding performance at this track occurred in 2019 when his competitors eliminated each other, and during the Saturday session in 2016 after the track layout was altered mid-weekend.

It's quite odd, actually, since one would assume that a low-traction surface like Barcelona's would ideally complement Marquez's approach.

On Saturday, the Sprint race at the Catalan track highlighted Marquez's vulnerabilities. However, by Sunday, he skillfully handled a soft rear tire to remind Bagnaia that even with Jorge Martin moving to Aprilia next season, securing the 2025 championship won't be a straightforward task for the Italian.

Marc Marquez described his second-place finish in the season's final Grand Prix as the ideal conclusion to his tenure with Gresini. Additionally, this result allowed him to surpass Enea Bastianini and secure third place in the championship standings.

Jorge Martin – 9

Although typically two third-place finishes wouldn't earn Jorge Martin a score of nine, this weekend was an exception. He secured the championship without ever appearing at risk of losing it.

Throughout all of 2024, Martin remained largely unaffected by the stress of the situation. He consistently positioned himself in ways that would not jeopardize his chance at securing his first top-tier championship title.

Why not give him a perfect score of 10? The reason is that he didn't come in first place in the race

Alex Marquez – 8

Achieving a fourth-place finish is likely the best outcome Alex Marquez can expect, considering the noticeable disadvantage of the Desmosedici GP23 compared to the GP24. This is especially true given that one of the GP23 bikes is being ridden by his renowned brother.

Marquez's performance is not at the peak of his potential, especially when conditions are ideal for him. However, finishing the season with two consecutive fourth-place results is a solid finish to what has occasionally been a lackluster second season with Gresini for Marquez.

Aleix Espargaro – 7.5

Aleix Espargaro wrapped up his MotoGP journey by securing fifth position, but the overall experience felt somewhat underwhelming.

On Saturday, taking a lap on his vintage 2005 125cc bike was quite a spectacle, and his impressive performance in Q2 secured him the second spot on the grid. However, his starts were lackluster, and honestly, this reporter isn't particularly thrilled about the idea of assisting Martin in winning the title.

However, if that's the way he chose to end things, that's his decision. Ultimately, Martin was well beyond requiring the help that Espargaro was willing to offer.

Brad Binder – 7

The KTM team faced a challenging weekend in Barcelona. Their bike struggled with cornering, and the qualifying session was a complete fiasco. Additionally, Pedro Acosta experienced a mishap when his fairing was torn off during the first lap of the Sprint race. Despite these setbacks, Brad Binder managed to secure a position within the top six.

Binder showcased a remarkable comeback in both races. While he has already gained a reputation for such feats, moving from 18th to ninth place in the Sprint and then from 18th to sixth in the Grand Prix is commendable, even by the South African's standards.

Binder's achievement also allowed him to surpass Acosta for fifth place in the riders' rankings, making him the highest-ranking competitor not riding a Ducati. However, it also marked his third consecutive year without securing a Grand Prix win.

Enea Bastianini – 6.5

When considering Enea Bastianini's performance in MotoGP, his skill in conserving tires and finishing races strongly often comes to mind. However, his abilities in Sprint races might not be the first thing you associate with him.

Bastianini concluded his tenure as a factory Ducati racer by achieving a remarkable feat: securing a spot on the podium in seven consecutive Sprint races, capped off by finishing in second place on Saturday. This accomplishment is both impressive and unexpected.

His Grand Prix might not have been any of those things. It ended up being a source of frustration and disappointment when Bastianini ruined his race by cutting through the chicane during a duel with Aleix Espargaro and was unable to bounce back from the mistake.

Though his involvement in the podium competition might not have significantly impacted the outcome, he offered little support to Bagnaia in the championship battle during this final race. As Espargaro mentioned post-race, ending up seven seconds behind the winner while riding a factory Ducati in 2024 raises questions.

Franco Morbidelli – 6

Franco Morbidelli is set to continue for another year with the Desmosedici GP24. However, if his initial performance is any indication, the 2025 season might not be particularly exciting for the rider who has claimed victory three times in the premier class.

The Italian's season concluded in a manner consistent with how it had progressed overall: it wasn't terrible, but it also lacked the speed of the other GP24s.

Marco Bezzecchi – 6.5

Marco Bezzecchi, who will take over Franco Morbidelli's spot at the VR46 team next year, finished just after him. Ending his stint with VR46 on a ninth-place note, a team he evidently cherishes, likely wasn't the result Bezzecchi had hoped for this weekend. Throughout the event, the Italian racer occasionally displayed flashes of promise that hinted at a stronger performance.

Despite his efforts, he couldn't secure a qualifying position better than the third row, which effectively diminished his opportunity to compete for strong placements by Saturday lunchtime.

In positive developments for Bezzecchi, he is set to join Aprilia as a factory rider on Tuesday. However, the idea of partnering with Jorge Martin, who secured 32 podium finishes this season, might be somewhat intimidating for Bezzecchi, considering he achieved just one podium spot in 2024.

Pedro Acosta – 6

After securing the 10th spot in Barcelona, Pedro Acosta mentioned experiencing issues with his brakes. This conclusion to his debut season was consistent with how the latter part of his season had unfolded overall.

At the beginning of 2024, Acosta played a crucial role in the initial races, but as the year progressed into the latter half, he has taken on a more secondary role.

It's challenging to place all the blame on him, given Ducati's increasing dominance. However, the end of the season has been disappointing for him, as illustrated by the events of the last weekend. He didn't finish the Sprint race after colliding with Marc Marquez on the first lap and secured a 10th-place finish in the Grand Prix, seemingly due to brake issues.

Fabio Quartararo received a rating of 6.5. While Yamaha appeared to improve during the overseas races, the final race of the season in Barcelona seemed to suggest the opposite.

Kudos to Quartararo for his remarkable performance in the Sprint, where he competed fiercely against Morbidelli, Marc Marquez, and Bezzecchi. Despite his efforts, a final lap overtake by Binder pushed him out of the points.

In the Grand Prix, he just wasn't fast enough, which might have been partly due to his decision to use the hard-compound rear tire, as it appeared to give him no benefit throughout the 24-lap race.

Miguel Oliveira – 6.5

Miguel Oliveira's final performance for Trackhouse ended in a somewhat disappointing 12th place. However, considering it was his first competition since September, he showed remarkable consistency and notably outperformed his teammate, Raul Fernandez.

Jack Miller – 4

While KTM had a tough time in Barcelona, Jack Miller's experience was even worse. During his media briefing on Saturday, he bluntly referred to his Sprint performance as "terrible."

Struggling with maneuverability and lacking traction at the back, Miller had a poor qualifying session and didn't perform much better in the race, marking a disappointing conclusion to his stint with KTM.

From a historical perspective, hopping onto a Yamaha should have instantly resolved those cornering issues on a Tuesday. However, it's no longer 2018.

Johann Zarco – 6.5

Throughout the 2024 season, Johann Zarco has consistently excelled in qualifying sessions, particularly towards the latter part of the year. He has frequently succeeded in securing a spot for the Honda RC213V in Q2.

Once more on Friday, he ended up in fourth position during Practice, but that turned out to be the highlight of his weekend.

Zarco concluded his debut complete season riding for Honda in 14th place. Despite this, he distinctly positioned himself as the leading Honda rider, solidifying his status in that role.

Maverick Vinales – 3

Maverick Vinales finished his race with Aprilia in the 15th position, trailing his official team partner, Espargaro, by 17 seconds. Overall, it was a disappointing performance for the Spanish rider, who is set to join Tech3.

Luca Marini – 5.5

Luca Marini's remarkable composure while handling the RC213V this season stands out as one of the most notable achievements in MotoGP.

Marini's performance has not been as notable, particularly when set against Zarco. On Saturday, the Italian acknowledged that Zarco is employing a "unique" approach to gain additional speed on the Honda.

Takaaki Nakagami – 5.5

During the Friday morning's first practice session for MotoGP in Barcelona, Takaaki Nakagami managed to secure the fastest time. His impressive final lap on a new tire paid off, serving as a reminder to all that he was actively competing.

It's unfortunate that Nakagami, who appears to be a quite well-liked racer, got very little television coverage over the weekend. The only exception was a brief moment at the end of FP1, whereas Espargaro, another rider retiring, garnered a significant amount of attention.

Espargaro has a more impressive track record in MotoGP compared to Nakagami. However, the broadcast subtly transitioned Nakagami into his new HRC development position without much fanfare, while Espargaro's retirement took center stage throughout the weekend.

Regarding Nakagami's performance, it was satisfactory: he secured 17th place in both races.

Raul Fernandez – 3

This weekend, Raul Fernandez switched back to the 2023 aerodynamics used by Aprilia, but it didn't seem to make much of a difference. As the only rider confirmed to continue with the Noale-based team for 2025, Fernandez finished 18th in the Grand Prix. He was 29 seconds behind the winner, seven seconds behind the underperforming Vinales, and 17 seconds behind his teammate Oliveira. This performance comes at a circuit where he previously led laps during the Catalan Sprint six months ago.

Augusto Fernandez – 4

Augusto Fernandez entered Barcelona with a hopeful outlook after securing a 10th place finish at Sepang just two weeks prior. Was his performance in Malaysia a significant milestone, or merely a temporary success?

If you thought the answer was 'breakthrough,' you'd be mistaken. Fernandez returned to his usual performance style this weekend, finishing in 19th place, which is typical for someone ranked towards the lower end of the top 20. This came after an incredibly unusual collision with his teammate, Acosta, during the first practice session (FP1), which resulted in a red flag being issued.

The most aggravating aspect of Fernandez's year, aside from his performance, is likely Yamaha's unexplained delay in naming him as a test rider for the 2025 season.

Michele Pirro – 6

This weekend, Michele Pirro aimed to prepare himself for the post-race test scheduled for Tuesday. Therefore, experiencing a crash just five minutes into the first free practice session on Friday morning likely wasn't part of his strategy.

However, other than that, he practically made no mistakes, which is essentially the most you can hope for from a substitute rider.

Alex Rins – 2.5

It was a challenging weekend for Alex Rins, who ended up in 21st place during the race. He only managed to finish ahead of Stefan Bradl. This result came after he received a double long lap penalty for failing to complete the initial single long lap penalty he was given for cutting the chicane between turns 1 and 2.

Stefan Bradl – 6

Similar to Pirro, Bradl participated primarily to prepare for Tuesday's testing session. His performance wasn't outstanding, but it was satisfactory. Additionally, his Team HRC bike sported an impressive livery.

Joan Mir – 4

Joan Mir concluded the Barcelona GP in a familiar fashion during his stint with Repsol Honda: by crashing out. He faced issues with rear tyre vibrations on Saturday, which also hindered his performance, leaving him without a solid Sprint result to rely on.

In the first qualifying session, he performed reasonably well. However, he narrowly missed securing one of the two spots for the second qualifying session, being edged out by Fabio Quartararo. This, nevertheless, was a positive indication that Mir still possesses some speed.

In August 2024, Alex became a member of the Crash.net team after spending two years reporting on consumer and racing motorcycle news at Visordown.

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Francesco Bagnaia remarked, "I accomplished what was necessary" – Martin "seems anxious, which is understandable."

"He appeared rather anxious, and that's to be expected. However, I believe he's capable of handling the pressure well during the race."

Defending MotoGP titleholder Francesco Bagnaia achieved what was necessary by securing pole position and winning the Sprint race at the concluding Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP event of the season.

This has set the stage for a championship-deciding race on Sunday against the current leader in the world

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Following a brief setback to Martin and Enea Bastianini at the race's first turn, Bagnaia quickly overtook both riders and maintained the lead thereafter.

Bastianini, his teammate, executed a final-lap maneuver on Martin, snatching away the Spaniard's second-place position.

"I slightly miscalculated the initial braking, leaving too much space, which allowed both of them to pass me," Bagnaia explained.

"At that point, my speed was sufficient to create a lead and simply relish the experience. I was extending the lead without exerting too much effort. Thus, all was well.

"Looking ahead to tomorrow, adjustments will be necessary, particularly with the replacement of the back tire. The current soft tire is excessively soft, which might lead to issues during the final laps."

"Besides that, I accomplished what was necessary: securing the pole position and then coming out on top in the Sprint."

"I was optimistic about having a wider selection of competitors, yet we're aware of our current capabilities and our consistent performance throughout the season. Despite any challenges one of us faced, we secured a second-place finish, demonstrating that we operate on a superior level."

"I believe Enea performed exceptionally well today. However, for tomorrow, I'm expecting an additional effort."

Certainly, Martin continues to hold a strong position, as finishing third in the Sprint has given the Pramac racer a 19-point lead going into Sunday.

This implies that even if Bagnaia secures his eleventh victory of the season, Martin finishing in ninth place would suffice for him to secure his inaugural title in the premier class.

However, the stress implies that it may not be as straightforward as it seems for the #89.

"When asked whether tomorrow's scenario presents a mental challenge, Bagnaia responded, 'Not for me, but it does for him.'"

"I vividly recall back in 2022 [when Bagnaia was defending a 23-point advantage], and it seems to me that Jorge is feeling the pressure somewhat."

Throughout the entire weekend, it was noticeable that he was quite anxious, which is a typical reaction. However, I believe that when he is in the midst of a race, he handles the pressure quite effectively.

"Today, he performed exceptionally well, having begun the race from the second row and ultimately securing a place on the podium."

"I believe it won't be too difficult [for him] tomorrow."

Bagnaia is aware that Aprilia's leading rider, Aleix Espargaro, might help Martin during the race if the opportunity presents itself, as he has previously given Martin a slipstream during the qualifying rounds.

"Bagnaia expressed amazement at their bond, and he also mentioned that Jorge is set to join Aprilia next year, with the team aiming to have the top rider in their garage."

"Therefore, [Aleix] will never go on the offensive against Jorge or pass him. It's something I need to be aware of.

"Regarding what's to come tomorrow, it will unfold as it's meant to."

"However, I anticipate a race similar to today's: Jorge effortlessly leading while avoiding any risks, and he possesses a significant advantage since even if I secure a victory, he can still place 9th."

"This presents a challenging scenario for me, akin to what I experienced in 2022."

Bastianini, a team-mate, is currently engaged in a competition with Marc Marquez for the third position in the global championship.

For two decades, Peter has witnessed the ebb and flow of the racing world, including the rise and departure of Valentino Rossi. He's leading the coverage on Suzuki's withdrawal and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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Marc Marquez shares his insights and recommendations for the two contenders battling for the championship in Barcelona

Marc Marquez comments on the significance of Sunday's race

Following the promise of a leading position at the start during the qualifiers, Marc Marquez faced a return to reality in the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP Sprint.

Battling to find his rhythm during his last outing with Gresini, the eight-time world champion indicated on Friday that achieving a top five finish seemed like the most he could hope for.

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Assistance from the current champion and soon-to-be teammate Francesco Bagnaia helped Marquez secure a spot on the front row during the qualifying round, a feat he confessed was 'unreal'.

An encounter with Pedro Acosta during the initial turns of the Sprint resulted in Marquez ending up in seventh place, which is where he ultimately finished.

Despite the absence of complications, Marquez believed his capabilities were fully stretched.

"After making it through qualifications, I felt somewhat hopeful. However, following the Sprint race, especially due to the challenging initial lap, we ended up back where we started," Marquez stated, dismissing any notion of damage to his motorcycle from the collision.

"Our speed puts us in the range of 5th to 10th place, and we finished in 7th. To be frank, if it weren't for the initial lap, we would have been in 6th place, but no higher."

"For tomorrow, there's a need for enhancement; otherwise, the race will seem endlessly extended."

He stated, "My battle isn't with the motorcycle; it's with the track itself."

"In May, the sensation was quite decent. I was able to sense the track's boundary, but this weekend, I find myself beginning from a contrasting stance. Gradually, I'm making efforts to enhance my competitiveness, yet I'm facing difficulties."

Marquez's struggles have resulted in him dropping to fourth in the global rankings, falling behind Enea Bastianini by a margin of five points as they approach the season's concluding grand prix.

Bastianini secured the second-place spot, flanked by Bagnaia and Jorge Martin, in the Sprint race.

When asked about the upcoming championship showdown on Sunday, where Martin just needs to finish in ninth place to secure the title if Bagnaia emerges victorious, Marquez commented:

"I believe securing the ninth position for Jorge should be straightforward, but then again, anything can happen in racing."

What guidance did he offer?

"Pecco must replicate his performance from today… And Jorge must do the same!" Marquez said with a laugh.

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Explored: How Jorge Martin or Pecco Bagnaia can clinch the championship

The various outcomes determining the 2024 MotoGP champion

Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia are the sole competitors in contention for the MotoGP championship this Sunday, during the final race of the season at the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP.

Martin leads Bagnaia by 19 points, with only 25 points remaining up for grabs.

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Martin simply has to secure a spot among the top nine in the race to clinch the championship, regardless of whether Bagnaia takes first place.

Bagnaia needs to secure victory in the race and wishes for Martin to end up in 10th place or worse

Bagnaia has secured the pole position to start from, at a minimum. Martin finds himself in the fourth spot on the starting lineup.

Bagnaia transformed his pole position into a win during Saturday's sprint race, with Martin securing third place.

Ducati team's Bagnaia is currently upholding his championship status, having secured victories in the last two consecutive seasons.

Pramac's Martin is competing for his inaugural championship. He fell short on the last day of the previous season to Bagnaia.

This year, they've operated with similar equipment, even though Martin was part of a Ducati satellite team.

If Martin secures the championship, he will bring the top spot to Aprilia the following year.

He chose to leave Ducati when they preferred Marc Marquez over him for the official 2025 racing seat.

For ten years, James worked as a sports reporter for Sky Sports, providing coverage on a wide array of sports including American sports, soccer, and Formula 1.

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Aleix Espargaro reveals his mixed feelings about aiding Jorge Martin's championship pursuit

"It's a wonderful feeling for me"

Aleix Espargaro has expressed dissatisfaction with having to assist Jorge Martin during the qualifying round at the MotoGP Solidarity Grand Prix, yet he also acknowledges that it was a "beautiful" gesture.

Martin entered the final showdown in Barcelona on Saturday within close reach of clinching the 2024 championship, holding a 24-point advantage over Francesco Bagnaia before the sprint race.

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Bagnaia secured the pole position, managing to position Marc Marquez in the front row as well, while Aprilia's Espargaro came in between them in second place, also aiding two Martin in achieving fourth place on the starting grid.

In the end, Martin had to settle for third place in the race, finishing behind Enea Bastianini, while Bagnaia claimed victory. This result means Bagnaia now leads by 19 points going into Sunday's final race.

Espargaro mentioned, “I communicate with Jorge more frequently than I do with my spouse,” highlighting his dedication to supporting his good friend Martin in his pursuit of the championship.

"So, it seems you think we communicate quite a bit. Honestly, I'm not thrilled about being able to assist him, as I would prefer for him to be the one soaring and speeding ahead."

"It’s truly wonderful for me, as I've tracked his progress through the qualifiers over the past three seasons. So, to have this one final opportunity to assist him slightly in securing this championship brings me great joy."

Celebrating 125cc: 'The perfect conclusion to a career'

Upon securing a fourth-place finish in Saturday's sprint, Espargaro took a commemorative cooldown lap on the 125cc Honda, the same model he competed with at the outset of his grand prix journey, while Matteo Baiocco took the RS-GP back to the pit area.

On Saturday, the 35-year-old disclosed to the press that the unexpected surprise, orchestrated by his wife Laura, caught him off guard.

"When questioned about his ability to fit on his previous bicycle, he responded, 'Not really, given that I stood at 179cm tall by the time I was 15 years old.'"

"At that time, I weighed about one or two kilograms more than I do currently. Hence, it baffles me how I managed to ride that bicycle."

The scale of contemporary motorcycles is astonishing when contrasted with older models; even the Moto3 bikes surpass the size of the 125s. It's truly remarkable. I have a deep affection for my wife. This surprise was beyond my wildest dreams.

"I believe there's no finer conclusion to my career than taking a lap on the world championship's inaugural bike alongside my present motorcycle. To me, it seems like a stroke of genius."

The upcoming Solidarity Grand Prix on Sunday will signify Espargaro's final event as a regular competitor, a reality he acknowledges is beginning to dawn on him.

He described the weekend as quite unusual when Crash.net inquired whether his impending retirement had begun to feel like a reality.

"Yesterday, I spent an hour in the garage with my team. There were a few unexpected moments, I watched several videos – they moved me to tears."

"The weekend has been quite sentimental. One thing stands out: I've been incredibly fortunate to connect with Aprilia. It's remarkable how much affection they have for me."

"I had a great time and will certainly miss everyone. If circumstances lead me to consider wildcards in the future, something I'm not keen on at the moment, it would be a completely new experience, given the incredible ambiance within the garage."

"Given my nature as someone who's quite sensitive, managing my emotions is going to be quite challenging."

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Jorge Martin: "I'm committed to securing the championship"

"Should a situation arise on the final lap, it's crucial for me to manage the risk and avoid conflict. However, I'm prepared to take necessary actions to clinch the championship."

Jorge Martin's opportunity to clinch the 2024 MotoGP championship faded as competitor Francesco Bagnaia triumphed in the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP Sprint.

Martin aimed to surpass Bagnaia by a margin of two points to clinch the title prematurely; however, he ended up losing five points to his competitor when Enea Bastianini, riding the counterpart Lenovo Ducati, overtook Martin on the final lap, demoting him to third place.

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Beginning from the fourth position, Martin made a bold move for the lead at the first turn, yet found himself trailing the red bikes following the initial bends.

The Spanish rider engaged in a series of exchanges with Bastianini, the same competitor he had a notable collision with during the final lap at Misano, eventually securing the second position.

However, he was unable to catch up to Bagnaia and instead, was overtaken by a surprising move from Bastianini at Turn 5. This unforeseen maneuver had Martin in disbelief, yet he subsequently acknowledged Bastianini's 'incredible performance'.

The Sprint was filled with anxiety. Initially, I felt uneasy about which tyres to select, especially after hearing that Pecco opted for a hard front tyre. The decision became more doubtful for me because of his last-minute switch in Malaysia.

Ultimately, I turned inward and asked, 'which is the optimal tire for the race, medium'. Thus, I chose the medium, though admittedly, towards the end, it was somewhat pushing the boundaries.

"I began on a good note, though perhaps I was overly hopeful going into the first corner. Then, Enea overtook me, causing a bit of chaos! Following that, I engaged in a duel with him. This cost us some time and the opportunity to catch up with Pecco.

"I believe I could have accelerated more, but battling with Enea wore out my tyres significantly. Nonetheless, I did everything I could while managing the risks sensibly, and securing a podium position today was indeed a great achievement."

Bastianini's last maneuver took me by surprise. I could hear his motorcycle from a considerable distance back, and I initially thought he might be losing control. That prompted me to slow down a bit, readying myself to veer towards the track's edge if necessary.

"He performed exceptionally well. He's engaged in his own competition against Marc, so I get what he's going through, and I'm looking forward to a great race tomorrow. I aim to have fun and figure out how to step up my competitiveness."

Martin enters the season's 40th and ultimate race holding a 19-point advantage over Bagnaia. This means that Martin just needs to secure a spot in the top nine to clinch the title, even if the current champion, Bagnaia, emerges victorious.

Martin explained, "I believe the approach should remain consistent, aiming for a place on the podium. I must manage the risks better, yet today's competition with Enea really helped keep my focus throughout."

"The objective here is to remain focused, take pleasure in the process, and certainly, if any unforeseen events occur in the final lap, I must manage the risk and avoid getting involved in a conflict."

"I will undertake necessary actions to claim this title."

Considering his lead in points, Martin's most significant challenge this Sunday could very well be psychological.

He confessed, "Following the qualification, I was filled with anxiety; I barely managed to eat anything today. That left me quite jittery, but then I attempted to get some rest, took a cold shower, and by the time the race came around, I felt remarkably calm. I was in a good place.

"I was curious to gauge my emotions throughout the race, and once I'm cycling, everything seems to fall into place. The sensation is present.

"The only aspect left to decide upon is the tire selection for tomorrow. It seems likely that everyone will make similar decisions. Essentially, the plan is to emulate what our competitors do and go from there."

The strategy is to stick to the usual routine tomorrow. I aim to give my all, and depending on how things stand towards the end, I'll either maintain my lead or, if necessary, increase my efforts. It all hinges on how circumstances unfold.

"It's challenging for me, and it's challenging for Pecco as well. However, if I manage to clinch this championship, it will truly be an emotional moment."

The upcoming Grand Prix on Sunday will mark the final race for Martin and the Pramac team in partnership with Ducati.

Martin is set to team up with Aprilia for the upcoming season and aims to secure the top spot, meanwhile, Pramac will be transitioning to Yamaha.

For two decades, Peter has been a constant presence in the racing circuit, witnessing the rise and departure of Valentino Rossi. Currently, he's leading the coverage on Suzuki’s withdrawal and the challenges Marc Marquez faces with his injuries.

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Pedro Acosta criticizes Marc Marquez for unnecessary contact during Barcelona MotoGP sprint race

"He approached it as if it were a regular lap"

Pedro Acosta stated that Marc Marquez's maneuver to pass him during the MotoGP Solidarity Grand Prix sprint, which led to a collision ending their race, was "unnecessary."

During the initial turns of Saturday's 12-lap sprint, the Tech3 racer had advanced to fourth position before he and Marquez collided while navigating through Turn 3.

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Acosta, positioned on the inside, collided with Marquez, who was moving faster on the outer track, resulting in the front fairing of the Tech3 GASGAS being torn away.

Consequently, Acosta had to bow out after completing the first lap, registering his 13th failure to score points in his debut season.

During a media session on Saturday night, which included representatives from Crash.net, Acosta expressed his disapproval of Marquez's tactics.

"Annoyingly difficult two turns," remarked Acosta.

"We don't even begin the competition. It's challenging to make any comments about the race."

"Once more, as the weekend unfolded, we found ourselves performing well, truly feeling like we were in sync and keeping up the momentum."

"Due to external factors, we ended up with another zero. That's just the way things are."

"I didn't notice anyone around until Marc struck me. I was completely on the inside right, and he came at it as if it were a regular lap, while I was positioned in the center.

"He entered as though the track was empty. I won't comment on whose fault it was, but it occurred at the third corner, on the first lap. There was no need for such an aggressive move. It happened, and that's all there is to it. That's just how racing goes."

Acosta dismissed the notion that the occurrence stemmed from the presence of dual paths leading from Turn 2 to Turn 3, comparing it to the contentious encounter between Alex Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia at Aragon.

"He added, "I believe that's not the case, as I was truly ahead."

"In the second turn, Marc trailed behind me, as did [Franco] Morbidelli."

"Alright, he managed to maintain a higher velocity. Regardless, I was right there. Alright, due to his increased speed, he passed me and as he began to narrow the track, I collided like so.

"I found myself completely hunched over, unable to view the exterior. This situation mirrored what Alex and Pecco experienced in Aragon. Ultimately, I emerged at the forefront."

On Saturday in Barcelona, Acosta stood out as the top-performing KTM rider, securing the sixth position in qualifying, with Brad Binder being the next highest-placed RC16 rider in 18th position. Consequently, he believed the sprint race presented an opportunity for a strong finish.

"He made it clear that numerous possibilities existed," he stated.

In FP2, our progress was impressive, and using the medium rear, we felt confident about our ability to maintain a strong race pace.

"I felt slightly more apprehensive about the tough start, but once I warmed up and did a couple of laps, everything felt pretty good. That's all there is to it."

The officials decided not to penalize anyone for the incident, as Marquez finished seventh in the 12-lap race.

He informed the press that he was "battling the track" and that a sixth-place finish was the best outcome he could have anticipated for his Gresini-operated GP23, had he not collided with Acosta in the first lap.

Marquez verified that the collision caused him no harm.

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