Ducati offered full support in MotoGP despite Aprilia deal

Jorge Martin says Ducati has assured him he will have their full support in the fight for the 2024 MotoGP title despite his impending split from the Italian manufacturer.

Rider Pramac Martin will leave the Ducati fold after four seasons to join Aprilia on a multi-year contract in 2025, having lost out in the race for a factory place at the Borgo Panigale brand to six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez.

The 26-year-old is currently in the thick of the championship fight with Ducati factory rider Francesco Bagnaia and Marquez de Gresini, holding a small but substantial 18-point lead in the standings ahead of this Dutch Grand Prix. weekend in Assen.

If Martin ends up winning the title, it raises the possibility of him taking back the prestigious number 1 plate at Aprilia next year, which Ducati would not like.

Additionally, the Pramac team he races with is close to agreeing a deal to become a Yamaha satellite team next year, with an announcement expected later this weekend.

Given the situation, Ducati would be better off focusing its efforts on Bagnaia and to a lesser extent Márquez, but Martin made it clear that he and the Italian brand remain determined to give their all until the end of their contract.

“For my part, I am a professional rider, I am paid by Ducati, I race for Ducati and for the moment until Valencia, Ducati is my home,” he said.

Jorge Martin, Massimo Rivola, Aprilia Racing

Photo: Aprilia Racing

“I will give my 100% to win or do my best to try to win and, from this case, they also told me that I will have the same material that I have had until now.

“So I’m confident that it won’t be a problem and that I can fight with both of these guys on a level playing field.”

Ducati had initially chosen Martin to replace Enea Bastianini in its factory crew, but was forced to reverse its decision after Márquez refused to agree to join Pramac, even on a factory bike.

Amid fears of losing Marquez to a rival, Ducati had no choice but to promote him from Gresini to join Bagnaia next year, creating an all-star lineup.

Unhappy at being overlooked for this coveted seat for the second time in three years, Martin took matters into his own hands and signed a deal with Aprilia on Monday after the Italian Grand Prix that will see him lead the assault on the Noale brand factory.

Speaking at Assen, Martin admitted he was “frustrated” with the way things went during the Mugello race week, as he went from being the choice for the seat of Ducati factory has that of having to look completely outside the Italian camp, but he believes he is joining a better place where he is “really wanted”.

“Of course it was an eventful weekend at Mugello even though I wasn’t aware (of what was happening in the background),” he explained.

Jorge Martin, Pramac Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

“I arrived at Mugello with a few ideas, with information that changed a lot over the weekend. So as soon as the race was over, I understood that maybe it wasn’t so clear and I had to make a decision.

“I understood that sometimes in life things don’t go the way you expect or want. Of course it was a bit frustrating, not at Mugello, but afterwards, after four years of trying to move to the official bike.

“I understood that I was not the decision or the best solution for Ducati. That it was Marc.

“But I took the best opportunity possible, I think I will be much happier (in the) next years where I am going and I will also be a factory rider, that was my dream.

“So I’m going to a place where they really want me and where they will give 100% for me.”

Martin did not explain how exactly his career took a different turn at Mugello, saying only that “but for sure something or someone happened and changed the idea.”

He added: “I’m frustrated because after so long I tried to go (to the factory team). It always felt like it would never happen and in the end it didn’t, so it was easy.

“But I wasn’t 100% convinced I would go because of that. Things happen as they should, but I’m happy with what happened. »