“Finally!” - Jorge Martin revels in MotoGP move, happy with Ducati over KTM deal

Jorge Martin says he is ‘super excited’ to have his much rumoured move into MotoGP confirmed after it was revealed during the break between races he’ll step up to the premier class with Pramac Ducati.

The Spaniard is the first - and so far only - rookie to be announced for the 2021 MotoGP World Championship after it was revealed he would be paired with Johann Zarco in a fresh line-up for the satellite Ducati outfit.

Though Martin is only competing in his second season of Moto2, he had previously raced in four seasons of Moto3, wrapping up that title in 2018 before being brought under KTM’s wing in the Ajo set-up.

However, though the Austrian manufacturer was known to be chasing Martin to promote him for 2021, it was Ducati that won his signature.

While the accelerating progress of KTM this season might have suggested some regrets, the Spaniard - who is believed to have agreed on a deal before the belated 2020 MotoGP season began - insists he is more than happy to be joining the Italian fold instead. 

“I’m super excited, after a long career I finally arrive in MotoGP. It’s great, I have been racing with some of these guys in the past (Mir, Quartararo) and I know them well. 

“I felt strong in Moto2 so I think this was the moment to jump and it is my best opportunity going to MotoGP next year.

“I had different options and felt my best option was to move to this factory, so now KTM is strong but all of the factories have positives and negatives. I am happy with my decision.”

With Martin and Zarco replacing Ducati factory-bound Jack Miller and Pecco Bagnaia, the youngster says he takes encouragement from the promotion potential ahead of him if he can prove himself on the Desmosedici.

“Pecco struggled a bit in the first year but now without the injury he would have been fighting for the championship. I am not expecting a lot from the first year, I will try to learn as much as I can and then after a few races I will see if I can be fast.”

In a Moto2 season defined by his unfortunate two-race absence after contracting COVID=19, Martin says he will head into the remainder of the season focused on wins, saying he is now riding with no pressure on his shoulders.

“I have nothing to lose, so I will try to win or be on the podium in every race because I don’t have the pressure of making a mistake. My future is decided and I think I have the potential to win.”