JORGE MARTIN SAYS HE’S NEVER RACE-BATTLED MARC MARQUEZ IN THE FINAL LAPS

Jorge Martin says there is one specific kind of duel he has never experienced against Marc Marquez during their MotoGP careers: fighting side-by-side in the closing moments of races. With the 2026 title race tightening, Martin and Marquez are level on points heading into the next round in Austria, after Marquez delivered maximum points at Misano to claw back a 102-point deficit from Mugello.

Martin, who is in his second season of the current championship fight and is also preparing for a move to Yamaha in 2027, admitted that despite years of racing against one of the sport’s most accomplished riders, their battles have rarely—if ever—arrived in the final corners together. Speaking via Mig Babol, the Spaniard explained that when he first arrived in MotoGP he was still learning the rhythm of racing at the front, including how to manage overtakes and race craft. “Come on, it’s obvious that, especially at the start… no, when I moved up to MotoGP or joined MotoGP, it was a bit more of a case of, well, figuring out how it’s done, wasn’t it? Like overtaking, right?” Martin said.

He then pointed to how the situation has changed over time, noting that after six years in the premier class he feels at home on the calendar, yet the kind of head-to-head fight he wants has not materialised. “But now it’s been six years, six years, I think, in MotoGP, and we’re already, well, at home, aren’t we? Like, I’m used to being here.” Martin added that he does not understand why they have not ended up battling through the final laps together, describing a pattern where one rider finishes ahead while the other is left behind. “I don’t know why we’ve never ended up going into the final corner together, or the final corners, or the final laps together. Either I’ve won and he hasn’t done well, or the other way round.”

With Marquez having won five of the last eight races, Martin acknowledged that the results have generally gone against him more often than not, but he is hoping the championship pressure will finally produce the late-race duel he has been missing. “I’ve never come close. Though maybe this year there’ll be that battle, because I’d really love that.”

The stakes are high with eight rounds remaining, and Martin also indicated he would not dwell on a potential defeat to Marquez if it comes. Alex Marquez, meanwhile, suggested Martin deserves to lead the championship, praising his consistency while noting that his brother has struggled with injuries.