Spaniard finishes third behind winner Bagnaia and Márquez at Solidarity GP to realise his MotoGP dream.
November 17, 2024
Jorge Martín rode brilliantly to stay out of trouble and finish third behind winner Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Márquez at the Solidarity GP on Sunday in Barcelona to join them in becoming a MotoGP world champion after a superb, consistent season.
– The Spanish rider, who finished second behind Bagnaia overall last season, went into the last race weekend of the season on his Ducati with a 24-point lead over reigning two-time champion Bagnaia.
– The Italian cut that lead down to 19 points with victory in Saturday’s Sprint race to take the title race to the final Sunday, however Martín was not going to let that stop him from realising his MotoGP title dream.
– The Madrid native started fourth on the grid behind Bagnaia, Aleix Espargaró – in his final career factory race – and six-time MotoGP world champion Márquez and made sure not to get too close to other riders.
– The 26-year-old kept his cool on his Prima Pramac Racing bike to eventually move up to third with Bagnaia banking his 11th race win of the year and Márquez ending in second to cap a great comeback season.
– Martín becomes the first independent team world champion in the modern era with Pramac after winning seven sprints and three races in a wonderful, steady 2024 campaign.
– After winning the Moto3 title in 2018 on a Honda, this is also Martín’s first MotoGP world championship title in his final race for both Ducati and Pramac before switching to a factory Aprilia bike in 2025.
– Martín, who finished 10 points clear of Bagnaia overall, said: “It sounds amazing (to be called world champion). I am completely shocked. This is for my people and my family. The last laps I started crying a bit. It was an emotional race. It has been a long journey, lots of crashes and big injuries. Thanks to all the fans. Live in the present and enjoy the moment.”
– Márquez, 31, said: “Today was a good race, but first of all I want to congratulate the world champion Jorge Martín. To finish on the podium was the best way to say thank you to my incredible family (team).”
– Bagnaia, 27, said: “I think Jorge is deserving of what he achieved and this day is for him. My team did an incredible job. Congratulations to Jorge.”
– Spaniard Álex Márquez finished fourth for Gresini Ducati with Red Bull KTM’s Brad Binder ending in sixth to finish fifth overall ahead of rookie Pedro Acosta who finished 10th for an excellent sixth overall in 2024.
– Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira finished in 12th, Australian Jack Miller 13th for Red Bull KTM with Frenchman Johann Zarco 14th and Spaniard Augusto Fernández 19th for Red Bull GASGAS Tech3.
2024 Solidarity GP result
1. Francesco Bagnaia ITA Ducati Lenovo 40m 24.74s
2. Marc Márquez SPA Gresini Ducati +1.474s
3. Jorge Martín SPA Pramac Ducati +3.810s
4. Álex Márquez SPA Gresini Ducati +5.322s
5. Aleix Espargaró SPA Aprilia Racing +5.753s
2024 MotoGP World Championship final standings
1. Jorge Martín SPA Pramac Ducati 508 points
2. Francesco Bagnaia ITA Ducati Lenovo 498
3. Marc Márquez SPA Gresini Ducati 392
4. Enea Bastianini ITA Ducati Lenovo 386
5. Brad Binder RSA Red Bull KTM 217
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