Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1530649
P68 FEATURE I 2024 CYCLE NEWS RIDER OF THE YEAR: JORGE MARTIN is because we have the others' data, and we can learn where we struggle. But it's also a pity that when you have this [advantage as] they catch up!" Romagnoli even indicated that being privy to their main rival's data meant Martin and Bagnaia took on the other's traits. "Pecco [has] always [been] good in braking," he said. "We've worked with Martin to improve this. If you check the data of the two riders, they look the same. They're checking each other, copying each other, and the riding becomes more similar. In the past, we were checking to improve one-tenth. Now it's to improve millisec - onds. These two riders are pushing the limits." While Martin found himself in a satellite team, Prima Pramac Racing was independent in name only. "The reality is it's a full-factory team, with full factory bikes and a factory rider," reasoned Gabarrini. "The guys in the team aren't a lower level than our ones." Even as he threatened to take the number- one plate away from the marque in 2025, he found a factory full advantage of the marvelous GP24, which gained in braking stability and acceleration over Marc Marquez's GP23. What's more, Ducati's open system, whereby all eight rid - ers have access to the others' data, was a help for the most part. "It's amazing to watch," said Martin back in May. "I can see Pecco is stronger in brak- ing. Marc is stronger in entry. I am faster on exit. So, at the end of the day, you try to take details from everyone. I think the key to our performance also he's very, very solid. He's fast in every situation. I think he worked a lot on his mind to be more focused and have less up and down. [And] the results are right." DUCATI BENEFITS It would be remiss to not men- tion Ducati's role in Martin's success. Few seasons in recent history have been so compre - hensively dominated by one manufacturer. The Italian brand won 19 out of 20 feature races and 17 Sprints from 20. And unlike 2023, its new package was a clear step forward from last year's model. Along with Bagnaia and Enea Bastianini, the Spaniard was able to take Martin knew the title was a real possibility following his triumph in Indonesia's GP race after falling in the Saturday Sprint. Martin's dominant double win in Malaysia put one hand and four fingers on the trophy.