Jorge Martin Shares Battle with Anxiety Amidst MotoGP Triumphs: A Champion’s Inner Struggle

Jorge Martin Discusses His Battle with Anxiety Throughout His MotoGP Career

"The anxiety, the unease, it's been a constant throughout my life."

MotoGP frontrunner Jorge Martin has discussed the stress he experiences throughout a race weekend and the battle with anxiety he has faced since he was young.

The Spanish rider has had an incredibly successful run in grand prix racing, securing a Moto3 championship in 2018 and achieving several MotoGP wins.

In 2021, Martin advanced to the top tier with Pramac Ducati and overcame a significant crash in the practice session for the Portuguese Grand Prix, which resulted in his absence from four races, to clinch his first victory in Austria that same year.

In the previous year, Martin contended for the global championship, securing second place. This year, 2024, he's at the top of the leaderboard, holding a 10-point advantage with just four rounds remaining, marking a remarkably steady season.

Martin has secured victories in three Grand Prix races and achieved podium finishes on nine other Sundays, in addition to winning five sprint races.

However, he also experienced four instances where he did not finish, and lost a chance at securing a podium finish at the San Marino GP because of a tactical mistake in mixed weather conditions.

During a conversation with Marca, Martin shared his experiences of feeling pressured during race weekends.

"He explained, emphasizing the importance he places on his emotional experience while riding the bike."

"When you step away from the bicycle, you're surrounded by chaos, bombarded by a myriad of thoughts, and plagued by constant headaches. However, the instant you hit the racetrack, all that stress fades away."

"The critical aspect is this: If I allowed that stress or those concerns to overwhelm me, I'd become immobilized and unable to cycle."

"I exit the track, and it remains in place."

"Right after completing the race, I felt significantly more at ease. However, that tension is expected to return by the weekend in Australia."

"The anxiety and unease I've experienced since childhood is a natural part of my existence and will persist throughout my life."

"It involves understanding how to manage it, ensuring it doesn't control me."

Ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix last weekend, where he secured a second-place finish behind his championship competitor Francesco Bagnaia, Martin disclosed that he found the battle for the 2023 title stressful and unenjoyable due to the intense pressure involved.

This year, he finds himself significantly more content with his circumstances and believes he has evolved as a contender vying for the championship.

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