MotoGP’s Evolution: From Stoner’s Slides and Rossi’s Brakes to the Unified Mastery of Martin and Bagnaia

Casey Stoner known for his drifting style, Valentino Rossi recognized for his intense braking technique, "currently, it seems" "everyone" is "identical"

"Previously, Casey was famous for his excessive sliding, while Valentino was noted for his aggressive braking and sliding around [corners]"

Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia stand out significantly in the MotoGP world championship leaderboard, clinching victories in 22 out of the 32 races held this season.

Aleix Espargaro from Aprilia, who is among the select few to secure either a sprint or grand prix victory, recently expressed that the contenders for the championship are not receiving the recognition they merit for their exceptional riding skills.

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Are Martin and Bagnaia on the same page?

"Martin expressed a desire to return to the racing seasons of 2014 and 2015 to truly gauge his capability, mentioning a time when racers such as Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo, Dani Pedrosa, and Marc Marquez were in fierce competition for dominance."

"Martin went on to express confidence, stating, 'I believe we're in excellent condition. To begin with, I honestly don't give much thought to others' opinions, as they're beyond my control. Moreover, I feel that we're performing exceptionally well."

"The fact that our motorcycles are so evenly matched yet we're able to create such a gap in performance against others is unbelievable. Just the other day [in Japan], it wasn't just us, but Marc and Enea too, we found ourselves a whopping 14-17 seconds ahead of the person in fifth place. This situation is definitely astounding."

"I believe we're at a truly commendable stage right now. In my view, across the globe in all sports, records and lap times are continually being surpassed due to ongoing improvements. This means we, as athletes, have also enhanced our capabilities and, in my opinion, have surpassed those of previous generations."

Bagnaia mentioned, "Everyone is engaging in activities that once set us apart." With four races remaining, Martin is ahead in the rankings by 10 points, surpassing the current champion, Bagnaia. Both competitors are riding the newest GP24 Ducati models, alongside two other racers, while an additional four riders are on the previous year's GP23 models.

Bagnaia believes that the current standard in MotoGP has led to less noticeable distinctions in riding styles compared to before.

"Bagnaia stated, "The opinions of others don't concern me since I'm confident in our actions, and I believe we're achieving something far superior compared to others."

"I believe that's already a significant achievement. However, we must acknowledge that individuals are constantly connected to their history. Overcoming history is no small feat!"

"When pondering, let's say, observing Troy [Corser at a press conference], my mind immediately goes to Superbike racing. The notion is, when Superbike comes to mind, it's apparent that the competitive clashes don't quite match up to those from yesteryears.

"Currently, MotoGP appears to exhibit a similar pattern, as standing out has become significantly tougher. Previously, we witnessed Casey [Stoner] executing impressive slides, while Valentino [Rossi] was known for his aggressive braking and sliding maneuvers at the entrance of corners."

Currently, everyone is adopting the same approach: trying to leave in the most efficient manner, applying maximum braking. However, it's harder to spot variations because actions that once set people apart are now universally adopted.

"I believe it’s harder to grasp our actions."

"Our performance in Japan was truly extraordinary, especially given the relentless speed we kept up throughout the race. That's why I find myself indifferent and puzzled by others' opinions.

"Sometimes, it feels like you're talking to a brick wall. It's pointless!"

Despite being Ducati teammates, Enea Bastianini and Marc Marquez still have a slim chance to clinch the championship, trailing Martin by 79 and 81 points respectively, with just 148 points left up for grabs.

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