In many cases, when a MotoGP rider is able win a championship for the first time, his life changes more on the outside, in what is seen, than in what he feels or what goes through his head.
That does not apply to Jorge Martin if we take into account what the Spaniard says in this interview with Autosport, held in Madrid last week.
One gets the feeling that Martin is more relieved than elated by the pressure he has put on himself this season, his last on a Ducati before moving on to become Aprilia’s flagship rider.
During this season, the ‘Martinator’ has had to compete against a myriad of elements: Against Francesco Bagnaia for the title and against Marc Marquez for the place in the official team of the Italian brand, which finally chose the latter. And also against his DNA, by planning a season based more on consistency than on pure speed, which until now defined him every time he took to the track.
Q. In a year as important for you as this one, has there been anything that you have discovered about yourself that has surprised you?
Jorge Martin: I have learned to trust myself a lot more. I have always been a person with a lot of doubts. I was very negative as a kid. I was competing in the Red Bull Rookies Cup and I thought I wasn’t going to be renewed; that I wouldn’t be able to make it to the world championship.
Little by little I have been proving to myself that I was capable of achieving those goals. This year I really believed in myself before winning the title. Before I had to achieve something to convince myself that I was capable, now I have believed that I was capable before I achieved it. That’s something I’ll take with me in the future.
Martin overcame his own self-criticism to beat factory Ducati rider Bagnaia to the title
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Q. That insecurity doesn’t really fit with the image you convey, doesn’t it?
JM: Yes, maybe. This year I’ve been much calmer; I’ve been less impulsive and I’ve been able to keep calm in the moments when it went badly, which weren’t many. All this helped me, not only myself but also my team, because I could express myself more clearly about what I needed from the bike.
Q. You were very critical of yourself last year when you lost the championship. How much of a key reason is it that you are sitting here today as champion?
JM: I think I’m quite self-critical, and I see that as a positive thing. When you are younger you always look for…
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