MotoGP The championship leader, Jorge Martin, who finished third in the practice session that determined Q2 for Sunday, in the Engoodya GP, moved directly to Q2. Despite experiencing confidence issues, particularly in the front half of the session, the rider displayed a hopeful attitude. Martin stated that Raul Fernandez finished one lap ahead and that his closest championship rival, Marc Marquez, immediately followed.
Confidence Issues in the Front Half
The Spanish rider reported experiencing some difficulties on the track. Jorge Martin expressed that he could not find confidence in the track's coldness and grip. The rider mentioned that he slid ahead at several points and this situation shook his confidence. He stated that he could not be consistent and made too many mistakes, but he regained the confidence he is accustomed to in fast lap attempts. Despite achieving a good result, Martin emphasized that it was not extraordinary, highlighting that Raul was ahead and Marc was close.
There are always very strong rivals. Raul looks particularly competitive here, but Marc is also strong. We were very close in terms of morning and afternoon lap times and speed. We all need to beat each other, and I think Marc will definitely be in the fight.
Speed and Situation Analysis
Jorge Martin admitted that he was not at his desired level in terms of speed. The rider stated that he felt good in the morning but that the situation changed in the afternoon. Martin mentioned that he struggled throughout the day but felt good in the morning and achieved his best time with tires that were quite worn at the end. He expressed hope that the issues experienced in the afternoon would be resolved tomorrow, and that if he could regain confidence, he could compete for victory, but they were slightly behind him for now.
I am not where I want to be. I struggled all day. I felt good in the morning and achieved my best time with quite worn tires at the end. In the afternoon, something changed and I had problems in the front half. I hope this issue can be resolved by tomorrow. If I can gain some confidence, I can definitely compete for victory. But for now, we are still slightly behind.
Physical Adaptation
Jorge Martin stated that he felt physically fine regarding the challenges posed by the different nature of the motorcycle and continued to adapt to his new bike. The rider emphasized that he was trying to understand how this different motorcycle behaves, stressing that it is no longer a Ducati but an Aprilia. Although a very fast motorcycle has its strong points and difficulties, he reported that he continued this adaptation.
I feel physically fine. I need to understand this different motorcycle and adapt to it. It is no longer a Ducati, but an Aprilia. Even though a very fast motorcycle has its strong points and difficulties.
Rival Analysis
Jorge Martin acknowledged the presence of strong rivals during the race. The rider stated that Raul Fernandez is competitive, but Marc Marquez is also strong. He emphasized the closeness in terms of morning and afternoon lap times and speed, and that they all need to be beaten, believing that Marc will definitely be in the fight.
Comments
Jorge Martin:
It is a shame that I experienced some problems in the front half. The track was cold. It was a bit strange. I could not find my confidence. I slid ahead at several points on the track, and this really shook my confidence. I could not be consistent and made too many mistakes. I felt that I had speed, but I could not get more laps consecutively. When we got to the fast laps, I regained the confidence I am accustomed to and I love it. However, I did not have another chance to get a really good lap. I got a good result, but it was not extraordinary. Raul was one lap ahead, but Marc was right there.
Statistics
- Jorge Martin is competing in 1st place with 355 points in the 2026 MotoGP season (Aprilia Racing Team).
- Archive: Jorge Martin: "Not fast enough to compete against Marquez" (October 11, 2026)
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Go to sourceCompiled by Şükrü Utku Poyraz
