Jorge Martin's Indian GP: Dehydrated And Mid-Race Leather Issues
Categories: MotoGP
The inaugural Indian GP posed a formidable challenge for all MotoGP riders with none feeling the heat more than runner-up Jorge Martin.
Upon arriving at the Pramac Ducati team’s pit, the Spaniard immediately sat down and implored his team for water.
While Martin accepted the second-place trophy on the podium, he missed the post-race interviews and press conference. Later, he shared some insights about his race with MotoGP.com.
“We opted for the medium rear tire, which was not the best choice. I struggled with the pace. It was tough to keep up with Pecco [Bagnaia]. After that, I was dehydrated.”
“I had no strength left and couldn’t stand on my feet. The doctors helped me, so at least I made it to the podium. That was important for the team and for me.”
Martin wasn’t able to keep pace with the race winner, Marco Bezzecchi, from early on, but engaged in a fierce battle with Bagnaia for the second spot.
“Although I quickly realized that the medium rear tire was the wrong choice, I managed to overtake Pecco,” Martin recalled.
“I tried to pull away, but it was impossible. Pecco was pushing really hard and crashed. After that, my zipper opened,” he remarked about his racing suit.
“I think I didn’t secure it properly.” In fact, a closer inspection of the starting grid just before the race revealed that the Velcro on Martin’s suit was inadequately fastened, which might explain the zipper malfunction during the race. “I had to close it again which cost me a lot of energy,” he added.
The last-lap battle between @88jorgemartin and @FabioQ20 will be hard to forget! 🔥
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) September 24, 2023
What a show these two have put on today at Buddh International Circuit! 👏#IndianGP 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/xR7VE2rjY7
With Martin being distracted closing his suit, Fabio Quartararo saw his gap to the Spaniard melt away as he closed in on second place. Although Martin managed to slightly widen the gap once more, a late-race mistake set the Pramac Ducati back once again.
“The last five or six laps were really tough. The battle with Fabio at the end was crazy,” the Pramac rider explained. “As I said, I was dehydrated. That’s why I slowly lost concentration with eight more laps to go. In Turn 4, I missed the braking point and went off the track.”
“Fabio overtook me, but I told myself we have to take these points. In Turn 6, I passed him on the outside. That’s when I realized I wouldn’t let these 20 points slip away,” emphasized Martin, who now trails overall leader Bagnaia by just 13 points in the championship standings.
“Everything is very open. But I want to stay calm and try to win again in Japan. It’s a good track for us,” says Martin.
“We achieved a great result there last season. Hopefully, we can recover well and fight for the win.” In 2022, he finished third.
