MotoGP: a grand finale in Valencia, with the Bagnaia-Martin duel

A grand finale! Like last year, the MotoGP world title will be awarded this weekend during the last round of the season in Valencia, where Francesco Bagnaia is well placed to achieve the double, while Jorge Martin wants to create a surprise at home.

The Italian title holder, who is 21 lengths ahead of his Spanish opponent while there are 37 points left to distribute on the Ricardo-Tormo circuit, has all the cards in hand to win a new crown aboard his official Ducati .

“This advance gives me a little margin, but it is not enough to rest on my laurels. In the past, I have been fast on the Valencia circuit, where I have the potential to achieve good results,” said the Turinese, who won his first title at the end of the season in Valencia last year. against Frenchman Fabio Quartararo.

Bagnaia, who has won 6 Grands Prix out of 19 this season, could even be crowned in the sprint on Saturday if he manages to increase his lead to 25 points.

“I'm not going to change my approach, the goal will be the same as usual: to work well from Friday and try to fight for victory in the races. I'm calm and I can't wait to get on the bike for the last act of the season. The experience of last year will serve me well and I will better manage the situation and the pressure,” added the reigning world champion.

Martin, for his part, does not arrive on his land in the same state of mind as his opponent after having seen a good part of his title chances evaporate last Sunday during the Qatar Grand Prix, where he finished only tenth after being lost due to a rear tire problem.

The Ducati-Pramac rider, who attacked Michelin, the MotoGP tire supplier on Sunday and responsible according to him for his poor performance on the Lusail circuit, seemed disillusioned at the end of the race.

“I have the impression that they (Michelin, editor's note) stole it from me (the world title, editor's note), because I think I deserved it and that I could win it before this race whereas now, it will be really difficult,” declared the Madrilenian to journalists.

However, the Madrilenian has, it seems, turned the page on Qatar and changed his state of mind since his arrival in Valencia.

“It was easy to forget because I understood that it was not my fault. I don't want to think about it anymore. I'm focusing on this weekend. It's complicated, we're still quite far away. I am very happy with my season and I have nothing to lose so I will try to win both races,” he explained at a press conference on Thursday.

Martin will not have the right to make mistakes on the Valencian circuit which is successful for him rather well since he finished third in 2022 and second behind...Bagnaia in 2021, his first season in MotoGP. The Spaniard, who achieved two pole positions in Cheste, also won on this track in Moto3 (2017) and Moto2 (2020).

“I still have my chances, 21 points was a lot in the old format, but now there are 37 points up for grabs. I am confident that I can win both races but even if that happens, it might not be enough,” he stressed.

Regardless of whether it is Bagnaia or Martin who wins this weekend in Valencia, the 2023 MotoGP season will go down as one of the most competitive and spectacular in history.