Jorge Martin Admits He Nearly Pursued a Career Outside of MotoGP

Jorge Martin became a first-time MotoGP world champion in 2024 as he beat Francesco Bagnaia to the crown for Ducati, but the new Aprilia rider could have taken up a new profession had he failed to secure a ride at the second time of asking in the junior class.

Firstly, props where props are due, the former Pramac Ducati star was sensational throughout 2024 as he produced the best season ever by a satellite team rider.

Martin didn’t win as many Grand Prix races as title rival Bagnaia, but that’s not what was needed to win the 2024 title. Instead, the Spaniard was more consistent over the 20-round campaign which was the precise area that let him down in 2023 when it was Bagnaia who got the better of Martin in the season-long championship fight.

But it was Martin’s early career challenges that nearly made him quit motorcycle racing. Martin arrived in the most junior category of racing on the world stage - the Red Bull Rookies Cup - having never tested a 125cc race bike. And despite his family not having huge finances to fund his career, Martin was patient as he took onboard every piece of advice he could.

Martin happened to be chosen as a full-time racer at the second attempt, and it was that crucial moment which led him to continue racing, and the rest is history as they say.

Speaking after the 2024 finale in Barcelona, Martin said: “Without the Red Bull Rookies Cup, I wouldn't be here. This, I can assure you. Because we were a normal family. It’s not that we were poor, but normal, so we didn't have the money [to keep racing].

“But when I went to the Rookies Cup for the first time, I was quite young. I had never even tried a 125. I was fast but they told me, ‘come back one year later'. I came back and I was the fastest. So thanks to their advice I was improving.

"When they accepted me it was so emotional, because if they didn't pick me at that time, I think I would have left motorbikes [racing]. I was there for three years in the Rookies Cup and finally I won it. It was a really important moment in my career.”

Find all the latest MotoGP news on Visordown.com.