The curtain came down on the 2024 MotoGP season in Barcelona, in a very special context. Pramac rider Jorge Martin made history by becoming the first MotoGP World Champion from a private team.
Jorge Martin: lurking in the shadows
For Jorge Martin, this title is not only an achievement, but also a source of immense pride. His career embodies resilience and the ability to bounce back from challenges. Seriously injured in an accident at Portimao in 2021, the Spanish driver had considered ending his career after eight fractures. However, his resilience brought him back on track just 43 days later, turning his ordeal into a source of motivation. His victory at the Solidarity Grand Prix in Barcelona was also that of Pramac Racing, which gave Ducati its first MotoGP world title with a satellite team.
At 26, after four seasons with Pramac, and without ever having been considered by the official Ducati team , which had preferred to promote Enea Bastianini in 2022. But this setback has only strengthened his resolve. "I could stop riding tomorrow, but I'd still be the happiest man in the world, because I've been world champion," he confided. Victory helps to take the edge off.
By donning his "Martinator" suit, a nickname inspired by his admiration for Arnold Schwarzenegger, Martin concluded a memorable season, to the cheers of his fans and the tears of his grandmother, a key figure in his support.
JORGE MARTIN IS MOTOGP 2024 WORLD CHAMPION #SolidarityGP #MotoGP pic.twitter.com/sdzb4pYPyB
CANAL+ MotoGP (@CanalplusMotoGP) November 17, 2024
MotoGP Barcelona 2024 Grand Prix race results:
With a third-place finish at the Catalan Grand Prix, the Spaniard sealed his title, beating two-time defending champion and race winner Pecco Bagnaia by 10 points.
MotoGP Barcelona: Bagnaia, a worthy but beaten champion
For the third year running, the title went down to the final race, but this time Francesco Bagnaia no longer had his destiny in his own hands. Pecco's season was full of highs, but with too many lows. With eleven Grand Prix victories (plus 7 Sprint wins), he remains a formidable competitor, but his eight retirements weighed heavily in the balance. " I need to learn to manage certain situations better," he admitted, pointing to strategic errors and avoidable crashes. Despite this defeat, Bagnaia was philosophical, declaring: "I don't consider this a real defeat. I'm someone who learns from his mistakes." (Paddock GP)
As a result, opinions can differ: is this season really a black eye for Bagnaia?
As for the French riders, it was a mixed weekend. Fabio Quartararo, in search of consistency, finished just outside the top 10, while Johann Zarco ended his season in 14ᵉ position, regretting a poor tire choice. The elder of the two was optimistic for the future, however, claiming to have made progress on certain technical points. Even if we're left wanting more, it has to be said that there was no photo op with their respective team-mates (Rins for Quartararo, Nakagami for Zarco) throughout the season.
Final MotoGP 2024 standings :
The first four places in the overall standings are occupied by Ducati riders, an unprecedented achievement that Ducati manager Davide Tardozzi obviously didn't fail to mention.
Which rider will be MotoGP champion in 2025?
As the season draws to a close, the predictions for 2025 are getting hotter. Johann Zarco and Luca Marini (Valentino Rossi's half-brother), in particular, see Marc Marquez as the favourite for the title. Is history in the making, or will Bagnaia be back in the hunt for the title in 2025? With MotoGP more competitive than ever, it's already shaping up to be a thriller. But for now, Jorge Martin can (must) savor this moment, engraved in the sport's history. At least when he gets the chance... Because testing resumed on Tuesday, with his first crash in Aprilia colors, at the famous Turn 5 he knows so well!
David Alonso: Moto3 champion with a big heart
David Alonso, the new Moto3 world champion, continues to impress, both on and off the track. With seven consecutive victories this season, he has surpassed the previous record set by Valentino Rossi, consolidating his place among the rising stars of motorcycle sport. On the strength of his achievement, however, he prefers not to rush things. " I'll only move up to MotoGP once I've won the Moto2 title," he says, citing Johann Zarco as an example of patience and preparation.
But it's his commitment off the track that is also admired. Barely back from Malaysia, Alonso mobilized to help the victims of the recent floods in Valencia, accompanied by his family and team. At just 17, the Colombian stands out not only for his precocious talent, but also for his maturity and generosity, qualities which have yet to be confirmed at the highest level.
