Moto3: Malaysian GP victory gives title to Martin

Jorge Martin’s spectacular 2018 season has earned him champion status, having clinched the title with a round to spare in Malaysia, at the Sepang International Circuit. Martin had plenty of peaks and a few troughs throughout the vintage 2018 year, which saw his main title rival come unexpectedly from Marco Bezzecchi.

With a stunning seven victories and an unprecedented 11 pole positions, Martin has been the favourite from early in the season. The Spaniard made few errors but one of his biggest ones was at home at Catalunya, where he crashed out whilst leading. He had another title blow when he was out through injury at Brno. Another slip-up whilst in the leading group at Motegi almost handed the title away but luck was Martin’s side, with Bezzecchi being wiped out at the Australian Grand Prix by Gabriel Rodrigo.

“My whole life passed through my very own eyes. I come from a humble family and it wasn’t easy to get here where we are now. I would like to thank everyone who supported me and helped me grow: from the “Cuna de Campeones” to the rookies cup to obviously Gresini Racing,” said a jubilant Martin, who becomes the fourth rider from Spain to win a Moto3 World title.

“I saw this title almost slipping off my hands in Thailand when I thought I wouldn’t have raced, but we did and I want to thank everyone, including my rivals. To be winning the title and taking the race win at the same time is probably the best thing in the world, so thank you once again!”

Other statistics for Martin include that he is now the all-time leader for Moto3 poles, with 20 in total. He is also the 13th Spanish rider to win a lightweight class world championship, whilst he is on a unique list of riders to have led more than 150 lightweight class laps, with 186.