Jorge Martin's crash in Q2 proved costly as starting from 11th of the grid put him out of the podium battle.
After a crash in Qualifying Jorge Martin had to start the Japanese Grand Prix Sprint Race from 11th on the grid. The Spanish rider has been known as a 'pole hound' in MotoGP so to see the #89 so far down the grid is unusual.
Despite his poor starting position, Martin went up through the order from 11th to fourth. The Prima Pramac Racing rider put together a great damage limitation ride as his rival, Francesco Bagnaia, won the Sprint.
"For sure it is a good result," Martin said after the Sprint Race. "I am happy because of the result. But I think it could have been much better if I didn't make the Qualifying mistake so it is a bit painful because we have the potential to do more.
"Anyway, I am happy because I have confidence for tomorrow it's a much longer race so I have the potential to fight for the podium. Today when there were some raindrops I was struggling to get confidence after Pedro's crash I was just cutting too much. Tomorrow I hope to be more competitive and work on those details to improve."
"I think we have the potential for a podium fight" - Jorge Martin
Martin and Bagnaia have both said that there was rain falling across the Motegi circuit during the Sprint. These conditions have not suited Martin in the past and the weight of the Championship was clearly on his shoulders today.
"It is so difficult," Martin stated. "I think you have got to push the same until you see some raindrops then you have to not lean as much and ride like you're in the wet. But on slick tyres it is not easy, there are some riders with nothing to lose so they risk a bit more. However, riders like me and Pecco are battling for the Championship so we need to take fewer risks to not crash."
Looking ahead to Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix Martin is confident that he will be able to challenge for the podium.
Martin said: "I think I have more confidence now than before the Sprint. I saw some good things that I can improve for tomorrow and I think we have the potential for a podium fight. I will go for it and I think we can be close to Pecco tomorrow, the important thing to understand is if we can do the same start or not. Then from that point, we will try to get a good result."
