MARTIN SAYS MARQUEZ PUNISHES MISTAKES MORE THAN BAGNAIA

Jorge Martin says the challenge of fighting Marc Marquez for the MotoGP title is broadly similar to his previous battles with Pecco Bagnaia, but one difference stands out: Marquez is exceptionally quick to capitalise when a rival slips up.

With five rounds remaining, Martin and Marquez are separated by just two points after the Indonesian Grand Prix. It is the closest gap between the leading title contenders this late in a season, and Martin’s third premier-class championship fight. He took Bagnaia to the final round in both 2023 and 2024, winning the latter title by 10 points despite claiming only three race victories to Bagnaia’s 11. Martin’s consistency proved decisive.

Asked in Indonesia how this year’s contest compares, Martin said: “For me, it doesn’t change a lot.” He noted the difference in their championship experience: “I have the experience of two titles [in Moto3 and MotoGP], but he has the experience of nine.”

What makes Marquez a particularly demanding opponent, Martin explained, is his ability to stay close and make mistakes count. “What I see is Marc makes less mistakes,” he said. “Every day you make a small mistake, he’s there to beat you. He’s always there.”

Martin added that he can only focus on his own performance: “I try to do my best. I cannot do more than what I can. And, honestly, to win or not will be the consequence of doing things well.”

The stakes are heightened by Marquez’s record in close championship finishes. Only twice before has a rival taken him to the final round of a title fight, and Marquez won both times. In 2013, a disqualification at the Australian Grand Prix helped Jorge Lorenzo keep the contest alive until Valencia, where Marquez secured the championship. In 2017, Marquez beat Andrea Dovizioso in another title battle that went to the last round.

Marquez’s position in this season’s fight has also changed dramatically. After shoulder surgery following the French Grand Prix, he fell 102 points behind the championship lead. Since then, he has won six grands prix. Martin, by contrast, has one victory this season. Their two-point separation now leaves little room for error as the campaign enters its final five rounds.