Jorge Martin led from the first to the last lap, but it was exactly there, on the last lap, that the 2nd place in the championship gave up the lead of the race to his teammate Johann Zarco.
Being the only one in the front group on the soft rear tyre, it was clear that Jorge Martin was struggling to manage the compound chosen for the rear wheel. In a debrief, Jorge Martin was resigned to the result of the race, assuming that it was 100% his choice to put a different compound from the others at the rear:
– Yes, so close. Of course, now it’s very easy to understand which would be the best choice, but it was my choice 100% to go with the soft tyre (at the rear) I tried it and it didn’t work, but I’m happy with my performance. I think I rode very smooth, very good. I tried to be quite gentle with the tyres, but in the end it didn’t work. It’s a learning experience for the future. (…) I think with seven laps to go was the moment I saw I was in trouble, because they were catching me about 4 tenths a lap, but I was pushing hard, but I couldn’t accelerate properly. I was able to brake and have some cornering speed, but I couldn’t have power and rear grip. I just tried to finish as best I could and that was 5th position.
The #89 also stated that he lost hope of defending the lead, right at turn 2 on the last lap, when he realized that his opponents were already extremely close, also stating that he was happy with Zarco’s victory, and that the championship remains open:
– They recovered 0.4s on the penultimate lap, so I had half a second, so I thought maybe I would make it, but as soon as I came out of Turn 2, I saw that they were very close. I tried to close at Turn 4, but Zarco was focused and ready for the win, and I want to congratulate him. And then I tried not to crash and to finish in 5th position was the most I could do. (…) Certainly he deserved the win and I’m very happy for the team and for him. Now I think we’re very close in the team championship, I think. So it’s a good point, but I wanted another one. It’s still up to me, so I have to be smart and not make these mistakes.