Jorge Martin has sent shockwaves through the MotoGP paddock with a candid admission: despite leading the championship, he doesn't consider himself the favourite. The Aprilia rider concedes he is not at his top level ahead of this weekend's San Marino Grand Prix at Misano.
Martin currently holds a 19-point advantage over Marc Marquez, with Marco Bezzecchi a further 24 points adrift in third. However, his lead was eroded after a lacklustre Aragon round, and he hasn't won since the French Grand Prix. Just two podiums in the last six races signal that his consistency is wavering.
“I think I’ve never been the favourite,” he said on Thursday. “I don’t feel I have the speed enough to fight for victories every weekend. I need to continue improving. For sure, we are all here to win.”
This statement reflects both humility and honesty from a rider struggling to find his best form. Martin admits he often loses three to four tenths in practice. “I’m still not at my top level. But, trust me, I’m trying hard to find that speed, to fight with these guys to win the title,” he added.
Looking ahead to Misano, Martin hopes to bounce back. He has won at the San Marino GP before and believes the Aprilia will be fast at this track. “Aragon wasn’t super strong, but I hope here we can bounce back. It’s a track that I enjoyed in the past. Also, the Aprilia won here last season in the sprint with Marco, and they were competitive. But also, Marc won here, so I think the level is always super strong at Misano; everybody is super-fast,” he explained.
Despite not feeling 100%, Martin remains optimistic. “I feel prepared; we are working a lot to try to build some speed, and I hope to be able to fight again with the top guys. I think during the year a lot of riders go up and down. Still a long season to go, but it seems like we [the top three] are a bit in front. I still don’t feel at my 100%. There are some races where I feel super strong, other ones where I struggle. I need to understand this thing well if I want to continue battling for the championship. I feel there are some upcoming races that are very good for me.”
With pressure mounting from Marquez and Bezzecchi, Martin's words could serve as motivation or backfire. One thing is certain: the 2026 MotoGP title fight is heating up, and Misano will be the ultimate test of the championship leader's mentality.
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