MotoGP Solidarity Grand Prix: Jorge Martin crowned 2024 World Champion in Barcelona

Jorge Martin has been crowned 2024 MotoGP World Champion after finishing third in the final race of the season in Barcelona.

The Pramac Racing Ducati rider only had to score seven points (9^th) in order to claim his maiden title, but managed to get on the podium in what turned out to be a quiet affair for Martin.

Martin made a good start to the race and slotted in behind Bagnaia on the opening lap. However, Marc Marquez forced his way through on the run down to turn one on the second lap, demoting Martin to third.

The Spaniard stayed there for the rest the majority of the race, withstanding early pressure from Enea Bastianini, whilst Marquez chased down Bagnaia for the lead. Espargaro soon disposed of Bastianini and held his position behind close friend Martin.

Martin becomes the first satellite rider to be crowned MotoGP World Champion in the modern era of MotoGP, and the first overall since Valentino Rossi claimed his maiden title onboard the Nastro Azzurro Honda in 2001.

Martin’s title success comes in his final race as a Ducati rider following the Italian manufacturer’s decision to move Marc Marquez into the factory team alongside Bagnaia in 2025. It’s also Pramac’s last race as a Ducati satellite team after agreeing a deal with Yamaha for next season.

🔥🔥🔥 @88jorgemartin HAS OFFICIALLY TURNED INTO THE #MART1NATOR 🦾 pic.twitter.com/B0jHlvuVMf

— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) November 17, 2024

Bagnaia took the chequered flag to claim his 11^th Grand Prix victory of 2024, with Marquez coming home in second to secure his 10^th GP podium onboard the Gresini Racing Ducati. Marquez also confirmed his spot in third place overall.

Alex Marquez got the better of Espargaro in the closing laps to finish fourth, with the latter completing the top five in his final race as a full-time MotoGP racer. The Spaniard becomes a test rider for Honda next season.

Brad Binder stormed through from 18^th on the grid to finish sixth and steal fifth in the championship from Pedro Acosta, who could only manage 10^th onboard the Tech3 GasGas machine.

Bastianini and Morbidelli were seventh and eighth respectively, with Marco Bezzecchi crossing the line ahead of Acosta in ninth.

Fabio Quartararo ended a tough campaign in 11^th onboard the Monster Energy Yamaha, finishing ahead of Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller. Johann Zarco and Maverick Vinales secured the final two points available in the race.

Takaaki Nakagami finished his final MotoGP race in 17^th, whilst Augusto Fernandez crossed the line for the final time in the premier class – at this stage of his career at least – in 19^th.

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The 2024 MotoGP Championship fight will be decided on the final day of the season after Pecco Bagnaia dominated the Sprint race in Barcelona.

The reigning two-time world champion pulled clear of the field on the opening lap, leaving Jorge Martin to deal with factory Ducati teammate Enea Bastianini. The duo overtook each other multiple times with some close moves, with Bastianini eventually making a move stick for second on the final lap.

It’s Bagnaia’s seventh Sprint win of the season, further showcasing his vast improvement in the shorter races in 2024. That takes his grand victory total this year to 17, whilst he also won the Grand Prix race in Barcelona earlier this season.

Despite having to settle for third, Martin still holds a healthy advantage heading into the final Grand Prix of the season. The Spaniard is 19 points clear with only 25 available, which means Martin only needs to score seven points (ninth).

Aleix Espargaro was best of the rest in fourth onboard his Aprilia, moving ahead of Alex Marquez and Franco Morbidelli in the closing stages. Marc Marquez was seventh but saw his race hampered by a collision with Pedro Acosta on the opening lap. The latter lost the entire front fairing of his Tech3 GasGas RC16 and had to retire as a result.

Marco Bezzecchi, Brad Binder and Fabio Quartararo completed the top 10, whilst Johann Zarco was the leading Honda rider in 11^th. Maverick Vinales crossed the line in 12^th, ahead of Joan Mir, Raul Fernandez and Luca Marini.

Alex Rins and Takaaki Nakagami were 16^th and 17^th respectively, with Miguel Oliveira, Jack Miller, Augusto Fernandez, Michele Pirro and Stefan Bradl completing the timesheets.