Bagnaia wins in Barcelona; Martin clinches MotoGP World Championship

Jorge Martin finishes third within the season finale in Barcelona to change into the primary unbiased rider world champion of the MotoGP period.

Prima Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin has been topped the 2024 MotoGP world champion after ending third within the season-ending Solidarity Grand Prix, which was received by his title rival Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati.

Martin led by 19 factors heading into the ultimate race of the season on Saturday, and the Spaniard wanted to complete within the high 9 to clinch the title if polesitter and twice-champion Bagnaia received the race. Gresini Racing’s Marc Marquez completed second.

“I don’t know what to say, I’m fully shocked,” an emotional Martin mentioned after kissing the brand new panel on his bike which had a golden primary as a substitute of his quantity 89.

“On the previous couple of laps I couldn’t even trip, I began crying a bit, it was actually an emotional race… It’s been an extended journey, a variety of crashes and large accidents. So lastly we’re right here.”

One other one for @88jorgemartin! 📌

He’s the primary Unbiased rider to change into World Champion within the #MotoGP period 🏆#MART1NATOR 🦾 pic.twitter.com/I4mByqnzgb

— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) November 17, 2024

Bagnaia had achieved every thing to shut the hole within the title race, with victory within the remaining Grand Prix his eleventh of the season, however Martin’s 32 podiums throughout sprints and races earned him the title by 10 factors.

Bagnaia and Martin made very good begins off the road and the title rivals went into flip one first and second. Marquez was third however he dived in on the within of flip one on the second lap to overhaul Martin.

Enea Bastianini instantly started to hound Martin however the Ducati rider didn’t see Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro behind him because the Spaniard elbowed his well past to maneuver as much as fourth within the remaining race of his profession at his house Grand Prix.

The highest three maintained their tempo over the course of the subsequent few laps, with Martin underneath no stress in third place because the skilled Espargaro defended fourth place in an intense battle with Alex Marquez.

Bagnaia ultimately cruised to victory – along with his future teammate Marc Marquez ending second – however the Italian and the Ducati storage might solely watch as Martin completed third to seal the title and immediate wild celebrations.