MotoGP: Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin’s wish leaves you stunned

A post-race that warmed the hearts of those who love motorcycling.

Pecco Bagnaia and Jorge Martin finished first and second in the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix held at Motegi on Sunday morning in Italy. Their head-to-head battle for the world title is back on fire, with the Spaniard now just 10 points ahead of his rival. A rival with whom relations seem però moreù relaxed than ever, as seen in the lap of honor and in the chats the two indulged in backstage with witness Marc Marquez (who finished third at the finish line).

The great battle between Bagnaia and Martin experienced a new, very interesting chapter right in Motegi, with the two battling it out on the edge of thousandths from lap four until the conclusion of the race. And both acknowledged their respective worth, greeting each other with big nods of approval with their arms filmed in worldvision. But that wasn’t the end of it.

The newfound fair play between the two dominators of MotoGP 2024 had perhaps the most damning proof in their conversation that took place moments before the podium. Bagnaia pointed out to Martin that he was now only 10 points behind in the standings. "Now, Jorge, you have to get me to 0 and we go to Valencia to 0", he added with a smile. Prompt and in some ways surprising was his colleague’s response: "I’ll sign, eh!".

An atmosphere, in short, decidedly different from the one that had transpired in Mandalika after the Sprint Race of the Indonesia Grand Prix. In that case Martin ended his Saturday without points because of a crash, thusì commented by Bagnaia: "If he had completed that corner, he would have given me a gap of four seconds". The response had been particularly piquant: "Of course, I would have given him 18. But when I fell by now, talk è very easy". Now, però everything seems to be over and nerves appear definitely moreù relaxed. At least for the moment.