Jorge Martin did one thing that Neil Hodgson was ‘not expecting’ in the Grand Prix of Thailand before the Pramac rider threw away a chance at the race victory on Sunday.
The 26-year-old started superbly in Buriram as Martin shot off the line out of third place and led comfortably into Turn 1. Francesco Bagnaia nor his Ducati teammate Enea Bastianini had an answer from pole and P2 in the rain, as Fabio Quartararo even briefly moved into second.
Martin had qualified 0.430 seconds off the pace that his 2024 MotoGP title rival Bagnaia set in qualifying. But the Spaniard swam in the damp conditions as he set about extending a 22-point championship lead after finishing second in the Sprint Race this Saturday to Bastianini.
Jorge Martin’s early pace in the Grand Prix of Thailand surprised Neil Hodgson
It was not to be for Martin at the Grand Prix of Thailand, though, as Bagnaia responded and won by 2.905s. The Pramac star will also rue how his Ducati rival took the lead at the Chang International Circuit after going extremely wide exiting Turn 1 on Lap 5 of 26 to fall to third.
Marc Marquez also slipped past Martin as the 2025 factory Aprilia rider recovered from the mistake. But after the Gresini rider tried to put Bagnaia under pressure for the race lead, his challenge came to an abrupt end after falling on Lap 14, eventually finishing the race in P12.
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While Martin would not match the pace that Bagnaia set once in control of the Grand Prix of Thailand, the Pramac rider had impressed Hodgson on the second lap. The 2003 Superbike world champion was also surprised as Martin opened half a second in the third sector alone.
“Incredible!” Hodgson said on TNT Sports 2 (27/10, 08:08). “It’s what we’ve seen Martin do at times this year. When his back’s against the wall, he does things you’re not expecting.”
Jorge Martin may now be on edge ahead of the 2024 Grand Prix of Malaysia
While Martin’s early pace in the Grand Prix of Thailand impressed Hodgson, his mistake let Bagnaia through and the Pramac rider could not respond. Now, Ducati’s two-time reigning MotoGP champion will go to the Grand Prix of Malaysia next Sunday just 17 points behind.
With two rounds remaining, Martin’s hopes for a first MotoGP title are still strong. But the Madrid native will be feeling the pressure as he strives to take the No1 plate to Aprilia next year. Bagnaia also got pole position and secured third in the Grand Prix in Sepang last year.
Martin was just 0.058s down on his rival’s pace during qualifying for the 2023 Grand Prix of Malaysia. But while he ended the Sprint in Sepang in second with Bagnaia in third, Martin’s hopes in the main race were not as positive as he finished seven seconds behind the Italian.
So, Martin failing to capitalise on his superb start to the 2024 Grand Prix of Thailand, where Franco Morbidelli disappointed Hodgson with his crash with Quartararo, may now put the Pramac rider on edge ahead of returning to Malaysia with Bagnaia targeting his third title.