We’re fast running out of superlatives to describe the Australian GP, with seven different riders in contention until the final laps. In what was an overtaking festival, winner Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) was joined by Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) and Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) on the podium.
Sunday’s race at Phillip Island seemed a case of what could have been though for Jorge Martin. The Prima Pramac rider started on pole, and finished less than 0.8s off eventual winner Rins, but yet he still crossed the line in seventh.
The Spaniard was in contention right until he took the chequered flag, but he admitted his lack of aggression may be the reason he wasn’t on the box. Martin specifically referenced some moves from Marquez during the race, saying the presence of the eight-time World Champion on his rear was cause for concern during a helter-skelter race.
"I was calm when I didn't have Marquez behind! Because it was three times that he overtook me and put me away, so I was not just losing one position, but two. So, this is making everything even more difficult. But that's racing, I need to improve, also be more aggressive, because it's the only way actually to be fighting for a victory or podium."
When questioned further about some of Marquez’ manoeuvres, Martin felt a few of them certainly pushed the boundaries of fair racing.
"There were some points where it was on the limit, that's for sure, because I was already on the inside, and I was losing another position. That's why I was tired of those manoeuvres. But we all know what happened with this situation. I will try to be just as aggressive as the rest for the future."
Perhaps we will see his newfound approach come into play this weekend at Sepang in the penultimate round of the campaign. You can see how Martin fares throughout the weekend at the Malaysian GP by tuning in from Friday, October 21st.