For the first time in its 33 years of life, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya hosts this weekend a season finale of the MotoGP World Championship, the grand final that decides the champion of the premier class.
Only two contenders for the title arrive at this last event on the calendar, called GP Motul Solidario de Barcelona, in which Montmeló replaces Cheste due to the effects of the floods on the Valencian track, the same as last year: Jorge Martín and Pecco Bagnaia. Although now the tables have turned, and the Madrid native is the big favorite for the crown thanks to his 24-point advantage. At the Ricardo Tormo in 2023, the Italian was 21, and took the scepter.
In the press room of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya they had their first duel, before crossing paths this Friday on the track.
Sensations
How do they face the final duel?
MARTIN: “It’s very exciting to be here fighting with Pecco for another championship. It’s crazy, both of us being able to make a difference with the rest. For me it is just another weekend, I have to maintain the same mentality, drive 100%, and winning will be a consequence of the work done. I want to close it and not rush or get into a fight that will take me to the ground. If it’s not Saturday, I have a very long Sunday ahead of me and we’ll see what happens.”
BAGNAIA: “I am happy to be competing in this race here. But subtracting 20 points in one weekend is very difficult, my goal is to win both races and win the title on Sunday. Whatever has to happen, will happen. This circuit is good for me, I was very competitive in May (at the Catalunya GP), we were first and second (Martín), and third (Marc Márquez) was 11 seconds behind. We showed that we have a high level.”
Jorge Martín, in the paddock of the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
The plan laid out
What strategy are they going to take?
BAGNAIA: “I hope someone sneaks into the fight between the two. My goal is to go for victory. Jorge can be smart and can afford to finish 7th in both races and still win the title. But pressure can play a role. We are not going to do anything to jeopardize the opponent’s result. I’m going to go to the maximum and whatever has to be, will be. The level we have is enough to guarantee Jorge the title, even if he weakens a little it is difficult for him to be left off the podium.”
On alleged psychological games: “If I have him behind me I’m going to shoot as hard as I can. I know perfectly well that mind games don’t work for me. Jorge understood that it extracts everything positive from you, because it ends up taking up your time.”
MARTIN: “My strategy and objective is to do the same thing I always do, be competitive from Friday to Sunday. And winning or not winning will be the consequence of performing well or not. I can compete without paying attention to anyone, try to be myself, if I can leave Saturday sealed, I will gladly take it. Trying to be competitive is the main objective. What’s the point of being sixth? I don’t know how to run to be sixth, I would make a mistake. If I come in sixth it is because it is the best I can give.”
The other rivals
How can other drivers influence?
BAGNAIA: “He will have help from some riders like Aleix Espargaró, and I from the Valentino Academy riders (Bastianini, Bezzecchi, Marini…). But he has 24 points and can afford to play with his income.”
Bagnaia, during the press conference prior to the Barcelona Solidarity Grand Prix
MARTIN: “I don’t count on anyone’s help, I don’t need it. There are people here who want to achieve their last victory, Marc, Enea, Aleix, and that is going to hurt me.
The evolution of each one
How have they changed compared to 2023?
MARTIN: “My feeling about last year? I approach this weekend differently, last year I thought I could make history, I was obsessed with winning the title, I had idealized it, I thought it was going to change my life, and this year I don’t think about this, I haven’t thought about it Throughout the season, I want to focus on what I can control, which is driving at 100%, I didn’t do it at the end of last year, and now I feel good, strong, in a good moment.”
BAGNAIA: “I feel much freer, right now, I have to go 100% and try to win. Three years ago I was very scared in the race and I finished eighth, and I was out of my potential and last year I tried to stay calm, I was nervous and what happened happened, luckily Jorge lost the braking zone (and fell into the career). You can’t escape the pressure. We are competitors and we want to give our best. But I know that this time giving my maximum is not enough.”
Other factors
Where could the key be?
MARTIN: “The key has been the entire season. Boxer Topuria says that championships are won by debuting. The key is the work done throughout the year. “We have given everything in the 19 races and now we have to understand what we need to take the title home.”
BAGNAIA: “You have to understand the conditions, it will be colder than in May, there are riders who will go faster here, you will have to be careful with the tires, Aprilia and KTM are fast here. It is difficult to stay with only one key, there may be many more rivals and a silly mistake can make you lose many points. “Anything can happen.”
Mistakes weigh
The journey until the last appointment
BAGNAIA: “This season I have made a lot of mistakes and you have to be more precise and regular, and he has been more regular than me. I have had bad luck at Le Mans or other drivers knocked me to the ground and Jorge has made fewer mistakes, he has been able to accept a second position and that has made the difference. He has a clear advantage in the Sprint. If I win the title it is because I have done a great job – I have achieved 16 victories – but because he will have made a mistake. We both deserve the title, for how we have worked. It may sound strange, but if he wins the title I would be happy for him, because he deserves it and because I have known him for years.”
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