Jorge Martín Struggles in Assen MotoGP Sprint

Jorge Martín finished fifth in the Assen MotoGP sprint on Saturday. He started from pole position but struggled with rear grip issues.

What happened?

The 2024 world champion led the first two laps but faded behind his team-mate Marco Bezzecchi to fifth.

Why it matters for Jorge Martín

Jorge Martín had "no rear grip" during the race, which meant he was "suffering" through to the chequered flag.

He said: "I was really happy after qualifying to be back in pole position after almost two years. I was ready for the race, and then when the race started, the first few corners I was feeling good, I was fast, I was able to be in first."

What comes next?

Jorge Martín lost a position to team-mate Bezzecchi after a tough battle through Turns 9 and 10 in the latter stages.

He didn’t see anything wrong with Bezzecchi’s aggressive move. "It’s racing," Jorge Martín said.

Jorge Martín hopes to bounce back on Sunday. "We are changing things on the bike; sometimes it’s good, and sometimes it’s bad. Today wasn’t the right way, so tomorrow we will bounce back," he added.

Jorge Martín scored his first pole as an Aprilia rider and first in two years on Saturday morning at Assen.

He had a "very bad feeling" compared to the rest of the weekend.

Jorge Martín couldn’t offer any details on his issue, but he didn’t suggest that it was a tyre issue, and instead believes it was more down to set-up.

The temperature may have been a factor, but Jorge Martín isn’t sure. "I don’t know. I know yesterday, for example, in the heat I was suffering a bit," he said.

Jorge Martín will try to be faster on Sunday. "I hope tomorrow I can be a bit faster, and I don’t have to battle with the others," he said.

Jorge Martín finished the sprint 5th on Saturday.

He will start again on Sunday.

The Assen MotoGP sprint was held on Saturday.

Jorge Martín is the 2024 world champion.

He rides for Aprilia.

Jorge Martín started from pole position on Saturday.

He led the first two laps.