With one race to go Jorge Martin now has a 19-point lead over his title rival after finishing third in the Sprint Race.

Jorge Martin arrived in Barcelona with a 24-point lead over his title rival, Francesco Bagnaia. However, the Spaniard seemed to be on the back foot all weekend when compared to his rival's pace.

Martin finished the Solidarity Grand Prix Sprint Race in third place, two places behind Bagnaia. However, the #89 still has a 19-point lead over the #1 with only one race remaining in the 2024 season.

"Today was a difficult day," Martin told MotoGP.com. "I felt good in terms of pace, but I was struggling in terms of qualifying and time attack. But in the race, we were quite fast, the feeling was back, and the bike was working quite well. I had an amazing start but I lost a lot of time with Enea [Bastianini], but I think we did a great race.

"I tried to race like it was a normal race and ride at 100% to my level and to perform at my best, and that is what I did."

Martin discussed his race strategy and claimed that his Sprint Race 'was a normal race' and that he has not been riding any differently this weekend.

"For me, it was a normal race," Martin claimed. "I tried to limit the risks and control what I was doing, but it is a normal race. I don't need to do other things, when Enea [Bastianini] was close it was ok with me to let him go in front. I saw he was not going to give up so in the end I let him pass."

'I was nervous that he would crash and that we would both crash.'

When discussing the last lap move from Bastianini, Martin claimed that he was nervous. At the time it was clear that the Spaniard was frustrated with the Italian as he shook his head as the #23 came passed him.

"I was nervous that he would crash and that we would both crash," Martin said. "I did not put up any resistance and it was ok Enea could have the second place.

"It was a nice fight, I was a bit frustrated after the race but I think it was a good fight. He makes me ride at my top level, this is the most important thing."

With one race to go nerves are high in the MotoGP paddock. However, Martin continues to play it cool and targets a podium finish on Sunday.

"I hope to do a normal race," Martin explained. "The target will be a podium or a top five, that is a nice target I think. If I need to manage anything I will think about it at the end."