The MotoGP title fight is fascinating and looks set to go right down to the wire at the Gran Premio de la Comunitat Valenciana.
Just 17 points separate Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia with two races to go in the championship, held in Malaysia and Spain.
Bagnaia has some momentum after winning in Thailand last time out – a scenario where he had to beat Martin to maintain a good chance of claiming the MotoGP title.
He now arrives at a Sepang circuit this weekend, which he has finished inside the top three of in each of the last two races.
Marc Marquez says ‘fastest one will win’ between Jorge Martin and Francesco Bagnaia
Marc Marquez is a man who knows a thing or two about winning championships, having claimed six across a seven-year period.
He clashed with Martin at the season-ending race in Valencia last year, denying him the chance of winning his first crown.
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Speaking to TNT Sports, he has now revealed who he thinks will come out on top in the fight for silverware.
“But, like this [two Ducati riders fighting for the title], I think everybody will do their 100 per cent. In the end, I say always the same thing.
“If you have the speed, you don’t need team orders; if you are the fastest one out there, you don’t need team orders. So, I think the fastest one will win.”
Why Martin is in command of the championship
Although he doesn’t have much experience with the demanding situation that he currently sits in, Martin has been a model of consistency in 2024.
His combination of speed and awareness on track has helped him to build a 17-point lead over Bagnaia with two races to go, despite claiming six fewer victories on the way.
He has been content to settle for second-place finishes on multiple occasions, and it has landed him in an excellent spot.
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As long as he doesn’t let anyone get in between him and his Italian rival, he will ensure that he claims his first major trophy on November 17.
However, the pressure is on him to perform more than ever, and his lack of experience could be a crucial factor in the last two events.