MotoGP: Francesco Bagnaia ‘speechless’ after 2024 season ends without world championship crown despite 11 race wins
Updated 17/11/2024 at 17:53 GMT
Francesco Bagnaia ended the 2024 MotoGP season with 11 race wins but in second place in the world championship standings, behind Jorge Martin. Speaking to TNT Sports, the Italian praised Martin for his consistency over the campaign and congratulated the Spaniard on the win, but admitted it was strange that his own performance was not enough to win the title this year.
‘Today is for Jorge’ – Bagnaia reacts after losing out on MotoGP world title
Video credit: TNT Sports
Francesco 'Pecco' Bagnaia said he was “speechless” after his 11 victories in the 2024 MotoGP season proved not enough to win the world title.
Bagnaia added his final triumph of the season with a double victory in Barcelona, having won the sprint on Saturday and Grand Prix on Sunday.
He had stayed in contention for the title until the finale, but Jorge Martin’s ninth place was enough to secure him his first world championship, and the first ever for a satellite team.
Martin and Bagnaia have an enduring friendship despite their close rivalry for the past couple of years, and while the Italian was pleased for Bagnaia, he did concede that a season with 11 victories might normally end with a title win.
He told TNT Sports: “This weekend we did everything possible. Winning 11 races, I’m speechless [compared to] what happened in the past. It’s been many years since anyone has done that.
“Not many have done that, I think we missed a bit of luck in the season. In terms of [races where we recorded no points] we did a bit too much, but we were absolutely the strongest all the season.
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“Winning all those races and constantly being fast, it’s good, but today is for Jorge, who had a very good season.”
He continued: “Jorge did a very good job. I think he understood that it was good enough to finish second many times.
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Highlights: Martin secures MotoGP title despite Bagnaia win in Barcelona
Video credit: TNT Sports
“I think he finished second 17 times, me just twice. That can make a difference in a championship where points make you champion.
“He’s great. This kind of rivalry, he’s a very fair guy. It was very nice to see from the outside, and I enjoyed the season. I would like to be the champion, but sometimes it doesn’t happen.”
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Rewatch the finale of the 2024 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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