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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Fabio Quartararo expressed that he could have achieved a quicker time during the Barcelona MotoGP Sprint, stating, "I believe we had the capability to perform better, although we were severely hampered by a lack of power and grip…"

Fabio Quartararo ended up in a disappointing 10th place in the Barcelona MotoGP Sprint, engaging in a tough fight with a number of Ducati racers during the latter part of the competition.

Quartararo missed securing the last available point during the race's final lap after being overtaken by Brad Binder. Prior to this, he had been competing against Marc Marquez, Franco Morbidelli, and Marco Bezzecchi for a spot among the top eight.

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"Quartararo stated, 'In essence, his argument won't alter the course of this race in any way.'"

"Indeed, we possessed the speed to outpace them, yet we were unmistakably hindered, preventing me from overtaking, regrettably."

"However, I believe there was significant potential, yet it lacked the necessary strength and traction to effectively compete with them."

Quartararo at least believed his showing improved compared to his race at the same track during the Catalan Grand Prix in May.

"Quartararo expressed some satisfaction, noting it was good to have Marc [Marquez] not far behind him, despite Marquez encountering a problem at the third corner."

"We're unable to attempt any passings, the move I made on [Marco] Bezzecchi isn't a standard passing maneuver: it's essentially risking it all, uncertain if I'll make contact with him or not, so it's not a true passing."

"Hence, it's challenging due to our reduced pace and even lesser traction. Efforts are being made to address these issues, yet this circuit places high demands on both these elements."

Rins expressed his disappointment, stating, "We couldn't achieve the optimal configuration for myself." Alex Rins' performance took a hit right at the beginning as he fell to the rear of the pack after getting entangled in the disturbance Quartararo referred to involving Marc Marquez at turn three.

Marquez collided with Pedro Acosta, causing Acosta's bike's front fairing to be torn off and leading to his withdrawal from the race, while Rins had to navigate around the wreckage, falling to the back of the pack as a result.

"Rins explained, 'For two corners, I was behind Acosta's fairing, dodging, which caused me to fall back to the last place.'"

"From that point on, the race actually went pretty well for me; I managed to move up six spots and was feeling quite confident. However, by the time I caught up to [Luca] Marini, my tyres were completely worn out."

"I attempted to pass him and managed to lead for a lap, but upon reaching the first corner, I ended up going straight due to locking the front brakes, which prevented me from doing anything further."

Rins faced similar challenges to Quartararo, primarily struggling with insufficient rear grip, yet he managed to maintain a respectable speed despite this.

"In general, during this Grand Prix, we're facing difficulties, but I'm discovering how to overcome them," he stated.

"We're facing challenges with grip, particularly at the back, but despite that, I'm managing to maintain times in the low-1:40s, dipping into the high-1:39s. So, looking ahead to tomorrow, if fortune is on our side and I manage to secure a strong start in the first lap, I believe we can aim for a decent finish, potentially between 10th and 13th place. I'm actually feeling pretty confident — wherever the bike falls short, I'm pushing myself to the limit."

Rins, in reference to how he stacks up against his teammate Quartararo, mentioned, "When I look at how I match up with Fabio [Quartararo] at this venue, it doesn't seem too bad. However, I'm still somewhat confused about my setup."

"After the race ends, I convey the same message to my engineers, identical to what I mentioned in Qatar."

"This year, we couldn't discover the appropriate configuration that suited me."

"Frankly, I'm pushing the bike too hard. I'm not able to just go with the rhythm. This is a downside, as I'm demanding too much from the tyres and ending up making more errors."

"Not having the bike with you makes it more difficult."

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

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The competitor facing the toughest challenge in the 2024 MotoGP title race

A competitor finds themselves sandwiched in the clash between Bagnaia and Martin

The battle for the 2024 MotoGP championship will come down to the season's last race, the Solidarity Grand Prix on Sunday, thanks to Francesco Bagnaia's triumph in the sprint race, which sustained his championship aspirations.

Before heading back to Barcelona for this weekend’s race, Pramac's Jorge Martin was at the top of the leaderboard, holding a 24-point lead over Bagnaia.

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To secure the championship on Saturday, Martin had to surpass Bagnaia by a mere two points, however, he was relegated to third place during the final lap of the sprint by Enea Bastianini.

Bagnaia, who is part of the same Ducati team as Bastianini, secured a victory in the sprint race, reducing the difference in the standings to 19 points ahead of Sunday's 24-lap grand prix.

Several competitors in Barcelona on Saturday have contributed to the championship battle.

Bagnaia successfully assisted Marc Marquez in securing the third position on the grid during qualifying, with Aleix Espargaro achieving second place. He did this while allowing his good friend Martin to use him as a guide, helping place Martin's Pramac-operated GP24 in the fourth spot.

Bastianini hadn't considered the championship in his approach to the race when he passed Martin on the final lap, yet this maneuver might turn out to be crucial, depending on the outcomes of Sunday's event.

Franco Morbidelli, who races alongside Martin at Pramac, inadvertently became entangled in the championship fight when he ended up trailing Marquez and Bagnaia during the second qualifying session.

Morbidelli was close to achieving a lap time that could have relegated Martin to fifth position on the starting grid, yet it was the Italian who ultimately secured that spot.

During the sprint, Morbidelli was engaged in a close contest for the podium positions, competing alongside Bastianini and Martin.

In the competitive arena, Morbidelli finds himself in a distinctive situation: he shares a team with one contender for the championship, whereas another competitor for the title is his colleague from the VR46 Academy.

"Indeed, it's challenging," Morbidelli admitted during an inquiry from Crash.net regarding his management of the circumstances.

"Additionally, pursuing Jorge today proved to be challenging."

"This is truly significant, and I prefer not to be involved in any way."

"Currently, I'm not competing for the title, so I prefer not to be involved in that contest. Instead, I find myself in the unique spot of being an observer to the battle."

He stated: "My goal was to pass Enea. I'm not here to cover for anyone. I have no interest in pretending or taking on a role. I just want to race on my own terms. I refuse to act out any part in this."

When questioned about potentially surpassing Martin if the opportunity presented itself, he responded affirmatively, saying, "Yes, in that scenario too."

When questioned about overtaking Bagnaia, he responded identically, saying, "Yes, indeed. That's the spot to aim for."

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Johann Zarco expressed mild frustration, acknowledging it as somewhat expected, following a decrease in pace at the Barcelona MotoGP.

"Performing excellently is still pushing the motorcycle to its absolute limits…"

Johann Zarco moved straight into Q2 during Friday's Practice session at the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP, yet felt let down as he couldn't replicate his previous day's performance in the actual Q2 session on Saturday morning.

Zarco finished Friday in fourth place with a time of 1:39.197, but dropped to 12th-fastest in Q2 with a time of 1:39.494.

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Zarco conveyed his frustration over not being able to replicate his Friday lap time, attributing it to the narrow leeway he experiences with the Honda RC213V during attempts to push for a singular lap.

"Zarco mentioned, 'There was this restriction on the bike during qualifying, preventing me from bettering my lap time; in fact, I performed slightly poorer today.'"

Admittedly, I felt somewhat frustrated, which is understandable. Even when you perform exceptionally well, you're pushing the bike to its limits. Achieving that level of performance is possible, but consistently replicating it poses a challenge.

Zarco's rapid pace enabled him to secure an 11th-place finish, maintaining a speed similar to those just ahead in the top-10, even though he fell slightly behind early in the race.

"During the competition, when pitted against this team – which includes skilled cyclists like Marco Bezzecchi, Brad Binder, Fabio Quartararo – it appears I can keep pace with them. However, it's possible I've fallen slightly behind at the race's start."

"They possess a slight advantage that we lack to keep up with them. I engaged in a solid battle with Raul Fernandez, and it cost me some time."

Zarco mentioned that adopting a strategic approach is crucial for optimizing his chances in the upcoming Sunday's Grand Prix. "This is fantastic since, from the start of the year up until about two-thirds into it, strategizing during the race wasn't something I could consider, but now it's on my mind," he stated.

"I should probably focus on performing better in the latter half of the race to outperform the rest in this pack. By doing so, aiming for a solid top-10 finish seems like an achievable goal for now."

Based on his strategy for maximizing his performance in the race, Zarco is leaning toward choosing the hard-compound rear tyre for the Grand Prix.

"Zarco believes they will opt for the hard compound for the rear tyre, while he expects others might choose the medium compound. However, he notes that it's a choice between medium or hard, as the soft compound isn't viable for racing."

"My strategy is to rely on the steady performance of the hard [rear tyre]. It might not offer the best sensation initially, but from the midpoint of the race onwards, it could provide a slight edge of perhaps two-tenths over the medium. That's the approach we need to take."

"To ensure a successful race, it's crucial for me to put in a strong performance right from the start."

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

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Ducati's Davide Tardozzi delivers a stark assessment as championship hopes dwindle

Ducati chief outlines today's pivotal championship showdown

Ducati's Davide Tardozzi is realistic about the slim chances of their leading rider clinching the MotoGP championship today.

Francesco Bagnaia trails Jorge Martin by 19 points heading into the final Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP race on Sunday afternoon.

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Bagnaia needs to secure victory in the race and rely on Martin ending up in 10th place or beyond to keep the championship. For Martin, finishing among the top nine is sufficient to claim the championship title.

Ducati's leading racer, Bagnaia, clinched victory in Saturday's sprint race, preventing the loss of his championship title one day ahead of schedule.

"The objective was to maintain our chances in the championship," Tardozzi explained to TNT Sports.

"On Sunday, our only option is to emerge victorious in the race. However, we're fully aware that Jorge possesses the pace necessary to dominate and secure the points required for clinching the championship."

"We remain optimistic, though we acknowledge that the future is unpredictable."

Tardozzi noted, "Pecco showed up in high spirits, feeling optimistic about the bike's setup from Friday onwards."

"He believes he has the capability to triumph in the competitions, possessing the necessary velocity."

"The medium tyre can transform everything."

Bagnaia, who has claimed the title for the last two years, is supported by the official Ducati team.

Should Martin emerge victorious today and clinch the championship title as a Ducati competitor, he plans to switch to Aprilia in 2025, where he will sport the #1 plate.

A victory for Martin would also result in Ducati being bested by their own subordinate team.

Pramac leader Paolo Campinoti stated: "Certainly, there's room for more joy, but I'm sufficiently pleased as it is!

"The paramount objective is to avoid errors and complete the course."

He faced a challenge because the track temperature was low, causing him to struggle with traction on Friday.

He encountered fewer issues on Saturday.

Campinoti shared his intentions for the upcoming Sunday, stating, "I won't do anything special; I plan to enjoy a big celebration! After that, on Monday, it's straight back to business."

Starting next Monday, Campinoti's crew will leave Ducati behind and start their new journey as a satellite team for Yamaha in 2025. This gives even more significance to Martin's potential win, making it a historic achievement if he manages to secure it.

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

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Francesco Bagnaia remarked, "I accomplished what was necessary." Meanwhile, he noted that Martin appeared anxious, which he deemed typical. Despite this, Bagnaia expressed confidence in Martin's ability to handle the pressure when competing.

Current MotoGP titleholder Francesco Bagnaia achieved exactly what was necessary by securing both the pole position and the Sprint race win at the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP season-ending event.

This situation has set up a title-deciding match on Sunday against Jorge Martin, who is currently leading the

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After being overtaken by Martin and Enea Bastianini at the first turn of the race, Bagnaia quickly regained his position and maintained the lead for the rest of the race.

Bastianini, a fellow team member, executed a maneuver on the final lap to overtake Martin and snatch second place away from the Spanish rider.

Bagnaia mentioned, "I slightly misjudged the initial braking and left a bit too much room, allowing both of them to pass me."

"After that, I was able to maintain a speed that allowed me to create some distance and savor the experience. Even though I wasn't exerting much effort, the gap continued to widen. So all was well."

"Tomorrow, we'll need to switch out the rear tire since the current soft one may be too delicate and might cause issues towards the end of the race."

"Besides that, I accomplished what was necessary: securing the pole position and winning the Sprint race."

"I had wished for more competitors to be involved, but we are aware of our capabilities at this point and throughout the season. Even when one of us faced difficulties, we still secured second place because we are operating at a different level."

"I believe Enea performed excellently today. However, I will require something additional for tomorrow."

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

This implies that should Bagnaia secure his eleventh victory of the season, Martin finishing ninth would still ensure he wins his first top-tier championship title.

However, the stress involved suggests that the situation for the #89 may not be as straightforward as it appears.

When asked if the situation for tomorrow poses a mental challenge, Bagnaia responded, "Not for me, but it does for him."

"I vividly recall the situation in 2022, when Bagnaia was tasked with defending a 23-point advantage, and I believe Jorge is currently feeling some of that pressure."

Throughout the entire weekend, I observed that he appeared quite anxious, which is completely understandable. However, I believe that once he's in the race, he is capable of handling the pressure effectively.

"He performed exceptionally well today, beginning from the second row and securing a spot on the podium."

"In my view, it won't be too challenging for him tomorrow."

Bagnaia is aware that Aleix Espargaro, who starts from the front row for Aprilia, will attempt to help Martin if the opportunity presents itself, as he has already provided a slipstream to the Pramac rider during the qualifying session.

Bagnaia expressed amazement at their relationship and mentioned that Jorge is set to join Aprilia next year, where they are eager to have the top spot in the team.

"Aleix will never challenge or pass Jorge, and that's something I need to accept."

"Whatever is destined to occur tomorrow, will indeed take place."

"I anticipate a race similar to today's: Jorge maintaining a steady pace without taking any chances, as he has substantial leeway. Even if I secure first place, he could still comfortably end up in 9th."

"This is a challenging situation for me, much like the one I experienced in 2022."

Bastianini, a fellow team member, is currently engaged in a competition with Marc Marquez for the third-place position in the world championship standings.

For two decades, Peter has been a fixture in the paddock, witnessing the arrival and departure of Valentino Rossi. He is deeply involved in covering the developments surrounding Suzuki's withdrawal and the injury troubles faced by Marc Marquez.

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Marc Marquez shares his thoughts and suggestions for the two contenders vying for the championship in Barcelona. Marquez offers his insights on the pivotal race happening this Sunday.

Following the initial excitement of securing a front-row position during qualifying, Marc Marquez faced a reality check in the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP Sprint.

Having difficulty finding his stride during his last appearance with Gresini, the eight-time world champion indicated on Friday that finishing in the top five seemed to be his most optimistic outcome.

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A draft from the current champion and soon-to-be teammate Francesco Bagnaia helped Marquez secure a spot on the front row during qualifying, a position Marquez acknowledged was 'not genuine'.

After colliding with Pedro Acosta in the early laps of the Sprint, Marquez found himself in seventh place, which is where he ended the race.

Despite the complications, Marquez believed there wasn't much else he could have accomplished.

"Marquez expressed some optimism following the qualifying session, but after a challenging first lap in the Sprint race, they returned to their initial position. He also confirmed that there was no damage to the bike from the contact."

"Our speed allows us to place anywhere between 5th and 10th, and we were currently in 7th. To tell the truth, if it weren't for the events on the first lap, we would have secured 6th place, but not higher."

"If we don't make improvements by tomorrow, the race is going to feel extremely lengthy."

He stated, "My struggle isn't with the bike; it's with the track."

"In May, things felt pretty good. I had a sense of the track's boundaries, but this weekend is a different story. I'm working on becoming more competitive little by little, but it's been challenging."

Due to Marquez's difficulties, he has fallen to fourth place in the world championship standings, trailing Enea Bastianini by five points as they approach the last grand prix.

In the Sprint, Bastianini secured second place, positioned between Bagnaia and Jorge Martin.

When asked about the championship-deciding race on Sunday, where Martin will only need to finish in ninth place if Bagnaia secures a victory, Marquez commented:

"In my opinion, achieving ninth place should be straightforward for Jorge, but anything can happen in a race."

What guidance did he offer?

"Marquez chuckled and said, 'Pecco should repeat his performance from today… and Jorge should do the same!'"

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Analysis: What Jorge Martin or Pecco Bagnaia require to clinch the championship

The scenarios that will determine the 2024 MotoGP title winner

Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia are the sole contenders for the MotoGP title this Sunday, as the season concludes with the Solidarity Barcelona MotoGP race.

Martin leads Bagnaia by 19 points, and there are still 25 points available to be won.

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Martin simply has to secure a position within the top nine, regardless of whether Bagnaia comes in first, to win the championship.

Bagnaia needs to secure a victory in the race and rely on Martin finishing in 10th place or worse.

Bagnaia will have the advantage of beginning the race from the front position, while Martin will take off from the fourth spot on the grid.

Bagnaia turned his pole position into a win during the sprint race on Saturday, with Martin securing third place.

Ducati's factory team rider, Bagnaia, is currently aiming to hold onto his championship title after securing victory for the last two consecutive seasons.

Martin from Pramac is competing for his inaugural championship. Last season, he fell short on the last day to Bagnaia.

This year, both have had the same equipment, even though Martin is part of a satellite team for Ducati.

If Martin clinches the championship, he will carry the #1 plate to Aprilia for the upcoming year.

He decided to leave Ducati when he was passed over for the 2025 official position, which went to Marc Marquez instead.

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

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