Image copyright: Getty Images
2024 MotoGP World Championship
2024 Aragon Grand Prix
MotorLand Aragon
Alcaniz, Spain
Sunday, 1 September 2024
Ducati Lenovo Team's Francesco Bagnaia insists his rivalry with Jorge Martin remains peaceful because they have always respected one another.
Two-time reigning world champion Bagnaia heads to the
Aragon Grand Prix on Sunday, September 1 leading his main rival by just five points in the rider's standings after winning the Austrian Grand Prix.
The Italian reclaimed the lead in the Championship with his seventh MotoGP victory of the season, having seen Martin go top after finishing one place above him on the podium (P2) in the British Grand Prix on August 4.
Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
The title race is following a similar pattern to 2023 when Bagnaia and the Prima Pramac Racing rider went neck-and-neck before he came out on top following a stronger finish to the campaign.
The 27-year-old has a good relationship with Martin and doesn't see that changing despite their fierce battle on track which dates back to 2015 in Moto3.
Image copyright: Getty Images
"When there is respect, there is peace outside and war inside of the track - but also always with respect," Bagnaia said. "We [have] known each other for a very long time.
"I never understand riders that change their relationships during the championship. It's true that when you are fighting for the same objective you change a bit, but the respect is to be always there - and looks like it is still the same situation as last year [and] from when we were young."
2024 Austrian Grand Prix results:
Winner: Francesco Bagnaia - Ducati Lenovo Team
Second Place: Jorge Martin - Prima Pramac Racing
Third Place: Enea Bastianini - Ducati Lenovo Team
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