‘Rodeo’ Martin: circus acts to win the Sprint, then wheelies and falls on the lap of honor

Adrenaline in spades

Jorge Martin is the new World Championship leader. After 511 days, Martinator has returned to victory, a success achieved on the last lap with a great overtake on Francesco Bagnaia at the end of the long straight leading to the braking point of Turn-12.

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Against all odds, the 2024 world champion will start tomorrow as the championship leader, a scenario that was unpredictable and unimaginable at the start of the season.

The Aprilia rider fitted the medium tire at the rear, unlike all his rivals, and on the last lap he recovered a second on Bagnaia in just a few corners, not letting the great opportunity to return to the top step of the podium slip away.

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After the checkered flag, Martin was overwhelmed by an understandable whirlwind of emotions. After the ‘traditional’ breaking of the windscreen, the Spanish rider then pulled a wheelie on the long straight, falling once the celebratory maneuver was over. No physical problems for Martin, just a big scare that certainly didn’t ruin the party at Aprilia because the Noale-based manufacturer has finally found the rider they had bet on a year ago to challenge Marquez and Ducati.

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