Jorge Martin salvaged a valuable third place in the MotoGP Misano Sprint after starting from fifth on the grid. The championship leader finished behind Marc Marquez and teammate Marco Bezzecchi, but acknowledged that the pace of the two ahead remains superior.
Speaking to Sky Sport MotoGP after the race, Martin said, “I don’t know if it was the maximum result for me today, but I definitely did what I could from fifth. It was difficult to overtake Di Giannantonio with the medium rear tyre because I couldn’t gain meters on acceleration. It was hard to find the overtaking point, but then everything went very well. It’s a good top-3 for me, but the first two are still far away looking at the lap times, so we need to understand how to do better.”
The move on Di Giannantonio at the Rio corner proved decisive. “I tried to brake very late because I saw I was stronger on the brakes, while he was better on acceleration,” Martin explained. The medium tyre choice paid off, though it required careful management throughout the sprint.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s main race, Martin remains optimistic. “For tomorrow, I think with some adjustments I can be more competitive. Whether it will be enough to reach the first two, I don’t know, they will improve as well, but I will try to start well and stay there.”
The championship battle is intensifying. Marquez’s Sprint win cuts the gap to 14 points behind Martin, while Bezzecchi is 22 points adrift and still very much in contention. With all three riders performing at a high level, the remainder of the season promises a thrilling fight to the finish.
Martin may not have matched the pace of Marquez and Bezzecchi at Misano, but his ability to maximize results on an off-day is a hallmark of a true champion. He retains the lead, and the pressure now shifts to his pursuers.
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Marc Marquez wins the 2026 San Marino MotoGP sprint at Misano after passing Marco Bezzecchi into Turn 1 and holding off late pressure to take the flag.
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