Vermeulen: The ‘momentum is with Martin’ in MotoGP title fight

Former Aussie MotoGP Suzuki star and current Channel 10 expert Chris Vermeulen believes the momentum is behind Jorge Martin as his titanic title fight with Francesco Bagnaia heads to Phillip Island this weekend.

With five rounds to go, the fight for the MotoGP world championship is heating up between Ducati heavyweights Bagnaia and Martin.

Just 18 points separate the pair with the reigning champion and factory Ducati rider on top over the Prima Pramac Ducati youngster after the battle hit a new high in Indonesia.

But it could have been so much different after the pendulum swung multiple ways last weekend.

A fourth successive Sprint win for Martin put the young Spaniard in the championship lead for the first time in his career.

Jorge Martin has only won three Grands Prix in 2023, but has six Sprint successes next to his name. Photo by Gold and Goose / LAT Images

He appeared set to extend this margin to 16 points after a storming start to the Grand Prix, but it all disappeared when he crashed at turn 11.

This coupled with a special ride from 13th to first has given the ascendancy back to Bagnaia.

But the fact that there is even a title fight in Australia is extraordinary given the #1 enjoyed a 66-point lead just four rounds ago in Barcelona.

Martin smashed through this significant deficit by finishing no lower than second in seven straight races including Sprints with his run ending in the turn 11 gravel.

This is why Channel 10 expert Vermeulen believes Martin has the momentum heading to Phillip Island, but he also feels the championship pressure may open the door for others to stand on the top step.

“It is really close, but I think the momentum is with Martin,” he told AUTO ACTION.

“He is purely the fastest rider at the moment and the record he had of all firsts or seconds to claw back so many points on Bagnaia was sensational.

Jorge Martin leads the pack at Twin Ring Motegi. Photo by Gold and Goose / LAT Images)

“But in saying that the way Pecco (Bagnaia) delivered that race in really slippery conditions from 13th on the grid and win was brilliant.

“When he knew Martin was out, he did not just settle for a podium, he pushed hard and took the win.

“He is the current world champion so he knows how to wrap these up under pressure and clawed back so many points off (Fabio) Quartararo last year.

“They will both be contenders this weekend but my early prediction is that the championship will start to get in the way with their thinking and a couple of others might come through for some wins.”

Vermeulen is also intrigued to see how the dynamic between the factory Ducati team and its sister squad backed by Prima Pramac plays out.

With the Ducati Desmosedici GP23 the superior bike on the grid, both teams are a cut above the rest having won nine of the 15 Grands Prix.

Francesco Bagnaia has been the man to catch since the season opener in Portugal.

As a result Prima Pramac Ducati finds itself in an unfamiliar position, sitting first in the teams championship, having one won once prior to 2023 and finishing no higher than fourth since forming in 2002.

Although the championship is not a battle between two different manufacturers, Vermeulen knows there will be more pressure on the factory Ducati to emerge victorious in the battle for Italian pride.

“Pramac is a big team now. They are an independent team and are now as close to a factory team as you can get in a way,” he said.

“They get the factory Ducatis and sometimes their riders have new parts before the factory team because they will test them especially when (Johann) Zarco and (Jack) Miller were there.

Francesco Bagnaia celebrates his 2022 MotoGP title. Photo by Gold and Goose / LAT Images

“It is going to be interesting because no independent team has wrapped up the MotoGP world championship in the current era.

“I can’t wait to see if that actually happens and not only how Pramac deals with that but also Ducati.

“Can you imagine the factory team being beaten by them? Yes they have the same bikes and its Ducati and they will say it does not matter as long as their bikes are at the front.

“But their sponsors and colours that spend a lot of money to be on the factory bike will perhaps not be happy not being the world champions.”

The next chapter unfolds at Phillip Island this weekend.

MotoGP returns to free-to-air TV with Channel 10 broadcasting the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix this weekend.

Saturday’s coverage begins at 13.00 AEDT while Sunday’s telecast commences at 12.00 AEDT.

Photo by Gold and Goose / LAT Images

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