Martin fights from the back to the points

The Championship contender gambled big in Argentina – and late!

Jorge Martin (Del Conca Gresini Moto3) was one of the big gamblers in the Argentina GP, choosing to switch to slicks very late in the day – so late, in fact, that it was on the Warm Up when he chose to dive into pitlane. That left him at the back and fighting through the field, hoping for the track to fully dry and the wet tyres of those at the front to start degrading. But the expected tipping point between wets and slicks didn’t quite appear, with conditions remaining mixed and laptimes for those at the front and the fastest coming through the field staying comparable.

Jorge Martin, however, was one of those able to make up some serious ground. Outpacing those on the same rubber by some impressive margins, the late gamble didn’t pay off in terms of the win, but at least it didn’t sabotage some valuable points for the Championship.

“It was a really hard decision to find the perfect tyre,” says the Spaniard. “But I tried my maximum and I was pushing so hard in the race. It’s a pity because we had really good pace, but this is racing and we have to do our best on every lap.”

So all things considered, is he happy he gambled? In a word, no.

“Happy for sure I’m not,” he shakes his head. “Because I can win, and I was 11th. But the points were important and the next race, I’ll try to win.”

After winning both the 2017 season finale and the first race of the year, Martin should certainly be a contender again next time out. Now with a deficit to key rival and new points leader Aron Canet (Estrella Galicia 0,0), the race is on.

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