Jorge Martin says a lack of grip at MotorLand is preventing him from “enjoying” riding at the Aragon MotoGP.
Jorge Martin says he is “not really enjoying” riding his Aprilia at the Aragon MotoGP because of a lack of grip.
Championship leader Martin has not featured at the front of any session so far this weekend, and of the three full-time Aprilia riders present this weekend he was the slowest in qualifying.
Starting fifth for the Sprint, Martin moved up to fourth early on, but was pushed back to where he started by Pedro Acosta eventually.
Martin was pleased enough with his performance, though, but admitted that it’s proving a “tricky” weekend in Aragon.
“I'm happy with the job we did, honestly,” Jorge Martin said after the Aragon MotoGP Sprint.
“The feeling is always improving every run, every practice. Today, top-five, honestly, is more than what I expected, so this is good.
“I think the team is doing a great job helping me to ride faster and with more confidence.
“But it's been a tricky weekend for me and we are trying to improve.”
The reason for the “tricky” characteristic of the weekend is simple, Martin added.
“I don't feel a lot of grip,” he said. “Maybe I need to train more flat track because, honestly, I feel I'm always loose.
“I'm not really enjoying on the motorbike, but this is part of the journey. I need to adapt, I need to understand.
“I just need more grip from the front. The first few laps I feel good because the tyres are fresh, but then as soon as the drop comes, it's difficult for me to keep the same speed.”
Martin was keen to say that this lack of front-end performance is not the same as what he struggled with before the summer break, when, after his crash-strewn Barcelona weekend, he lost confidence in the front end of the RS-GP.
“I feel I'm confident, I feel good with the front,” he said.
