Jorge Martin is the 2024 MotoGP World Champion! MotoGP Finale 2024

The 2024 MotoGP finale in Barcelona kicked off with an exciting sprint race, which Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) managed to win. The Italian, starting from pole position, took the lead early and controlled the race over the twelve laps. His Ducati teammate Enea Bastianini secured second place, while championship leader Jorge Martin (Pramac-Ducati) finished third.

This reduced Martin's championship lead over Bagnaia from 24 to 19 points. With 25 points still up for grabs in the main race on Sunday, the title fight remained open until the last moment. Martin was satisfied after the sprint: "The podium was the goal, and I think we have a good chance tomorrow." Bagnaia, on the other hand, remained combative: "Today was a good day. Tomorrow we have to repeat that."

On Sunday, in front of sold-out stands at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the final decision was made. Francesco Bagnaia once again delivered a strong performance and won the main race over 24 laps convincingly. However, despite his eleventh Grand Prix victory of the season, it wasn't enough to challenge Jorge Martin for the title.

Martin, who started from fourth place, entered the first corner behind Bagnaia in second position. Early in the race, Marc Marquez took over the second position, while Martin fell back to third. With a controlled pace and without taking unnecessary risks, Martin maintained this position until the finish line, securing the world championship title. The last race of the season was therefore very tactical and only offered exciting duels in the midfield for the spectators. Main actor: Aleix Espargaro, who wanted to put on a show in his last MotoGP race.

"It's an incredible feeling," said Martin after the race. "I could barely ride in the last laps, it was so emotional. This title is for my family, my team, and everyone who supported me." For the Spaniard, it is the first MotoGP title he and a satellite team have been able to achieve - a feat last accomplished by Valentino Rossi in 2001.

Bagnaia proved to be a gracious loser after the race, congratulating Martin: "This day belongs to him. He earned it." Alongside the world championship title for Martin, Marc Marquez secured third place in the overall standings of the 2024 season with his second-place finish in the race, while Bagnaia clinched the BMW M Award for the third consecutive time (best rider in qualifying) and thus drives home in a brand new BMW M5.

With this success, Jorge Martin leaves Pramac-Ducati and will join the factory team of Aprilia next season. Although Francesco Bagnaia does not secure a third title, he looks back on an impressive season with a total of 18 victories. At the MotoGP finale 2024, several established riders bid farewell to the premier class: Aleix Espargaró and Takaaki Nakagami ended their careers as regular riders and both transition into test roles for Honda, where they could still be active on occasion. Additionally, Stefan Bradl, as of now, contested his last wildcard race for Honda. These departures mark the end of an era and create space for fresh talents that will enrich MotoGP from 2025 onwards.