Nine things we learned from the 2024 MotoGP German Grand Prix

As MotoGP enters a three-week summer break, it’s the perfect opportunity to sit back and analyse the recent trends. Here are nine things we learned from the German Grand Prix.

1. Beating Bagnaia to a third straight title won’t be easy

With Jorge Martin building on his 2023 title challenge and stepping up a gear this year, it appeared that Francesco Bagnaia had a fight on his hands to remain MotoGP’s top dog. A 39-point lead after the Catalan GP sprint meant Martin was considered an overwhelming early favourite for the title. 

However, if the last few rounds have shown anything, it’s that Bagnaia is still head and shoulders clear of the field after winning the last four races in a row.

From his utter domination of Assen to his strategic gameplay at the Sachsenring, Bagnaia has exuded all qualities of a worthy double champion. It’s not that Martin has been doing a poor job, but Bagnaia has simply been outstanding since he picked himself up after a last-lap crash in the Barcelona sprint race. 

While he may be playing down the importance of taking the points lead just before the summer break, there is no denying that he has gained an upper hand in the title fight in more ways than one.

Apart from the obvious sporting advantage he enjoys, having that 10-point buffer over Martin gives him that sense of relief as he takes time away from work and begins preparation for his impending wedding.

2. Martin has to address one major weakness to become a complete rider

Martin has the pace, but also an unhealthy habit of crashing

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

No one could have seen Martin lose such a healthy lead in the championship in such a short space of time. All signs suggested that the Pramac rider was going to enter the summer break at the very top of the points standings.

But while Martin has some bigger things to worry about, including Bagnaia’s superior recent form and how Ducati will support a rider whose long-term future is at Aprilia, he must work on one key weakness that was first exposed during his unsuccessful 2023 title bid.

Having just taken the lead of the championship with victory in the sprint race at Mandalika, Martin blew it all away in the grand prix the following day after a crashing out on lap 13 with a three-second lead in hand. As it turned out, the Spaniard would never…