Martin claws back to third in Qatar Sprint despite injury

Aprilia rider Jorge Martin finished third in the Qatar Sprint after recovering from eleventh place, a result he described as a difficult and demanding race. He said he changed his rear tyre after the red flag, deciding on the soft tyre despite some doubts in the pit, and that the new tyre helped him especially under braking. He passed several riders, including Marc Marquez, and finished behind Fabio Di Giannantonio.

Martin said his qualifying was a disaster because he had no energy, and that he tried to conserve strength for the Sprint. He admitted he is not at full fitness, estimating he is at 50 percent, and said he is riding with what he has. He added that the longer 40-minute race on the following day could be slightly slower and might help him.

Martin said he was worried about the length of the next race but could do nothing about it, and that he would have two weeks to rest afterwards. He also said he has received letters from people who are sick, which he said gave him strength.