Jorge Martin comeback win earns praise from fellow world champions
Both Francesco Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo underlined the magnitude of what Martin achieved at COTA on Saturday
Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team, Pedro Acosta, Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati Team
Photo by: Steve Wobser / Getty Images
MotoGP world champions Francesco Bagnaia and Fabio Quartararo have welcomed Jorge Martin's return to winning ways in the sprint race at the United States Grand Prix on Saturday.
Although 2024 world champion Martin snatched the race from 2022 & 2023 MotoGP king Bagnaia on the last lap, the defeated factory Ducati rider acknowledged the significance of the win for the Spaniard.
Martin spent most of a dark 2025 on the sidelines battling a series of injuries. His ahead-of-schedule return to the top of the pack this season has earned the admiration of rivals such as Bagnaia.
"I think everybody knows Martin and how strong he is. I cannot add many more things," remarked Bagnaia after the race.
"I fought with him two seasons in a row for a championship. He won in 2024. We both made many mistakes, but he still won and was more consistent than me.
"He really deserves this kind of result. He was working super hard from [the first pre-season test in Thailand], from the first race. Nothing we can say more, just congratulations to him."
Bagnaia was also perfectly happy with Martin's robust move to take the lead on the last run through Turn 12.
"We were racing. Racing is overtaking like this and he deserved the victory a lot."
Quartararo, who won the world title in 2021, endured the expected tough sprint aboard the difficult Yamaha. But he too found kind words for his fellow champion.
"Yeah, I'm happy for him, especially for all the injuries that he had; all the tough moments. To [come] back and win is something super special. So, I'm really happy for him."
The Frenchman then joked that he would not be so charitable towards his rival superstar next time: "Now that he has won, he can stay a bit more in the back!"
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