Aprilia rider Jorge Martin now thinks he has “unlocked” a new ability to finish in the final lap after defeating Ducati’s Francesco Bagna in the COTA Sprint.
Martin He scored his first victory Aprilia Last time in any race format United States Grand Prixas he entered Bagnaya On the final lap to win the Sprint at the end of March. He hasn’t topped any stage since the 2024 Malaysian GP sprint.
In the year Martin’s best Aprilia will hardly be seen in its first season with the Italian factory in 2025 after suffering a year from hell with a back injury from Pramac. Martin is still not 100% exercising in 2026.
The 28-year-old will need more surgery this summer to address issues with his collarbone and left arm, both of which he broke last year. As Martin recovers to full fitness, 2026 will more than double his 2025 mark.
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Jorge Martin feels he has ‘unlocked’ the ability to win the final stage after defeating Francesco Bagnaia at COTA.
Martin He scored just 34 points in 2025, but boasted 77 in the first three rounds of 2026. After back-to-back P2 Grand Prix wins in Brazil and the USA and P3 in the Goiania Sprint and COTA Sprint. It was Martin’s record 17th career Sprint victory.
Read more: Everything you need to know about George Martin from money to girlfriend
Bagnaia Martin admitted that he “deserved” his Sprint win at COTAHe took full advantage of his decision to start a dash on the medium rear Michelin tire instead of the soft one. Martin was the only rider not to use the softer Michelin rear tyre, which gave him more grip late on.
The extra catch allowed Martin to overturn a 1.409-second deficit to Bagnaia with just two and a half laps remaining in the COTA Sprint. Martin finally made it 12 runs against Bagnaia, and now feels assured that he can come from behind to win.
Martin said. As: “Maybe I never thought about it before, but having you there and spending so much time, I thought it might be my last chance to win the Sprint.
“So I said, ‘I’m going for it all and we’ll see.’
Martin usually wins from the front, as he is one of the fastest riders on the MotoGP grid, so he doesn’t need to come from behind to win like he did in the Sprint at COTA. He has also struggled to make a last lap pass when trailing in the past.
The Madrid native has shown at the last round, especially with Bagnaia to win the 2023 German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring, that he can drive defensively to take victory in the final round. Now, Martin feels he can ride hard to win races in the final round.
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