Martin's historic MotoGP™ 2024 title win

In a thrilling finale to the 2024 MotoGP™ season, Jorge Martin etched his name in the history books, becoming the first Independent Team rider to clinch the MotoGP™ World Championship. The Prima Pramac Racing star's third-place finish was enough to secure the title, despite Francesco Bagnaia's impressive 11th GP victory of the season.

The championship battle came down to the wire in this final race, with Martin holding his nerve against fierce competition. This historic achievement marks a significant milestone in MotoGP™, showcasing the potential for Independent Teams to compete at the highest level.

As the lights went out, Bagnaia seized the holeshot, but Martin's rocket start saw him briefly slot into second. The race quickly evolved into a strategic battle, with Marc Marquez making an early move on Martin to challenge Bagnaia for the lead. Meanwhile, Aleix Espargaro and Enea Bastianini engaged in a fierce duel for fourth place.

As the laps ticked by, Bagnaia's relentless pace saw him maintain a lead over Marquez, while Martin held a safe third position. The battle behind intensified with Alex Marquez and Pedro Acosta joining the fray, adding excitement to the mid-pack scrap.

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Martin's composure was evident throughout the race, a stark contrast to his 2023 performance. He secured the title with a record-breaking 16th GP podium of the year, sharing this Ducati milestone with Bagnaia. The Spaniard's consistency ultimately trumped Bagnaia's impressive tally of 11 GP wins this season.

"This is a dream come true," Martin exclaimed post-race. "To be the first Independent Team rider to win the MotoGP™ title is incredible. I can't thank my team enough for their support throughout this amazing season."

Bagnaia, gracious in defeat, commented, "Jorge deserves this title. He's been phenomenal all year. We pushed hard, but in the end, his consistency was the key."

Marc Marquez, in his final race for Gresini Racing MotoGP™, secured second place and his 150th GP podium, a fitting end to this chapter of his career.

As the 2024 season concludes, attention now turns to the upcoming Barcelona Test, where teams will debut their 2025 machines. Notably, it will mark Martin's first outing with Aprilia, signaling the start of a new era in MotoGP™.

The top 10 finishers of the race were:

1. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team)
2. Marc Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™)
3. Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing)
4. Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP™)
5. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing)
6. Franco Morbidelli (Prima Pramac Racing)
7. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing)
8. Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Team)
9. Marco Bezzecchi (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team)
10. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GASGAS Tech3)