In a press conference ahead of the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix, Francesco Bagnaia, the reigning two-time MotoGP world champion, expressed his determination to catch up with his title rival, Jorge Martin. Bagnaia currently trails Martin by 20 points with only three race weekends left in the season. The Italian rider acknowledged the importance of the upcoming races in Thailand as he aims to recover points and stay competitive in the championship race. Despite coming in third at Phillip Island in Australia, Bagnaia is confident in his abilities at the Buriram track, which he believes suits his performance better.
Bagnaia emphasized the significance of closing the gap with Martin, stating that the 20-point difference is not insurmountable at this stage of the season. While Bagnaia may prefer the Buriram track compared to Australia, Martin, who won both the sprint and main event in Thailand last year, is also feeling confident heading into the race weekend. Martin expressed satisfaction with his recent performance in Australia and is determined to continue his momentum in Thailand, where extreme heat and humidity could pose a challenge for all riders.
With the championship battle heating up, both Bagnaia and Martin are aware of the importance of maximizing their points haul in Thailand. The presence of six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez in third place further adds to the competition, although he faces a significant points gap to Martin. As the season nears its conclusion, the pressure is mounting for all riders to deliver consistent performances and capitalize on the remaining opportunities to score crucial points. The upcoming races in Thailand and Malaysia will play a crucial role in shaping the final standings before the season finale in Valencia in mid-November.
