Martin "couldn't ride" through "crying" in last laps of Barcelona finale

Things got emotional for Martin moments before he clinched the 2024 title

Newly-crowned MotoGP champion Jorge Martin says he “couldn’t ride” and was crying under his helmet during the final laps of the Barcelona Grand Prix.

Pramac rider Martin claimed his first MotoGP title with a safe third-place finish in the final round of the season, beating race winner and factory Ducati rival Francesco Bagnaia to the crown by 10 points.

Although Martin won only three out of the 20 grands prix all year, compared to a whopping 11 for Bagnaia, it was his consistency and a lack of mistakes in the second half of the campaign that won him the title.

Martin previously admitted to feeling anxious on the final weekend of the year, with even Bagnaia admitting that he had sensed some nerves as they battled for glory over the Barcelona weekend.

And the Spaniard now says he struggled to control his emotions in the final moments of the race, as the dream of winning the world championship grew closer.

“It sounds amazing, I don't know what to say - I'm completely shocked,” Martin said after returning to parc ferme following his championship celebrations.

“This is for my people, for my family, for the people that are supporting me, this is for them. 

“[In] the last laps I couldn't even ride, I started crying a bit. It was a really emotional race. And yes thanks to my people, it’s for them, completely for them. 

“It's been a long journey, a lot of crashes, big injuries and finally we are back here. So thanks to all the people, thanks to the fans, it is also for Valencia - a Spanish rider. 

“I hope we can keep improving and enjoy the moment. This is the most important thing. Leave the pressure and enjoy the moment.”

Bagnaia was in unbeatable form over the weekend in Spain, setting the pace in Friday practice before converting pole position on Saturday and converting that into a sprint win.

Although he did come under pressure from 2025 team-mate Marc Marquez on the Gresini GP23, he hung on to take another grand prix victory on Sunday.

However, it wasn’t enough to defeat Martin, who only needed to finish inside the top nine to be crowned champion.

Bagnaia congratulated his former Moto3 team-mate Martin after his championship triumph, saying “I think he is deserving of what he achieved. This day is for him. 

“I just want to say thanks to my team, they did an incredible job, all the rest is another story but congratulations to Jorge,” said the 2022 and ‘23 champion.

While Bagnaia will remain within the Ducati fold to have another crack at the title in 2025, Martin will leave the Borgo Panigale marque to join Aprilia on a two-year factory deal.