MotoGP 2024: Jorge Martin Bounces Back To Win Indonesian GP, Extends C’ship Lead

2024 MotoGP championship leader Jorge Martin stamps his dominance in Mandalika as he wins the Indonesian Grand Prix. From a disappointing lap 1 crash in the Sprint race on Saturday to a pole-to-flag win, Martin has had quite a weekend. He has extended his title lead over Sprint race winner and defending champion Francesco ‘Pecco’ Bagnaia to 21 points, the latter finishing third.

Martin zoomed off the line to lead the field right from the start as no rider could manage to show him any sign of a challenge. At one stage, Gas Gas Racing’s rookie sensation, Pedro Acosta, tried to close up to Martin on his RC16 but in the end he had to be satisfied with a superb second place. Acosta’s podium could be under investigation as there seems to be some irregularity with his tyre pressures.

There was a lot of drama behind the duo. Pecco’s teammate and factory Ducati rider – Enea Bastianini – could’ve threatened the leading two towards the latter half of the race. He was setting some incredibly fast lap times on worn tyres. Ultimately, he crashed out and with that his hopes of potentially being one of the main title contenders for the last few rounds of the season. Also ending his title hopes was Marc Marquez whose Ducati GP23 ended up spewing flames, mid-way through the race.

While Pecco will be glad with the result of the race, his start was far from ideal. He goofed it up and fell quite behind in the pack. He was languishing in sixth for the most part, behind his fellow Ducati and VR46 Academy riders: Franky Morbidelli and Marco Bezzecchi. Bastianini’s crash and two clever moves saw him earn the final spot on the podium.

With just five rounds left, it is seemingly obvious that either Martin or Pecco will become the 2024 champion, earning Ducati yet another Rider’s title. The Italian manufacturer has already won the 2024 Constructors’ title in stunning fashion, with the victory today being the 12th race win in succession. The last of the first triple header race weekends will see the MotoGP clan head to Japan to Twin Ring Motegi, another race that Martin won last season from Pecco and Marquez.