Michael Laverty hails Jorge Martin resurgence at Grand Prix France Sprint - ‘He looks so good’

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TNT Sports pundit Michael Laverty lauded Jorge Martin’s return to form this season after the Aprilia rider, the 2024 world champion, won the Sprint race at Grand Prix France on Saturday afternoon.

Martin proud of 'amazing job' after Grand Prix France Sprint race

Video credit: TNT Sports

After starting eighth on the grid following an underwhelming qualifying session, not much was expected from the Spaniard.

But Martin's aggressive move from the green light saw his bravery and technical ability rewarded with the chance to lead from the front for the rest of the race.

Last year, Martin agitated for a move away from Aprilia while he struggled with injuries. However, so far this season, he and team-mate Marco Bezzecchi lead the championship standings.

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Martin has 102 points compared to the Italian's 108, potentially now marking the pair out as favourites for this season's title.

In 2024, Martin won the world championship with Prima Pramac before making a switch at the end of that season and Laverty is now wondering if he may repeat a similar feat in 2026.

'It's massive!' - Marc Marquez suffers huge crash at Grand Prix France Sprint race

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He explained: ”You know what? He's done it before at Pramac and went to Aprilia. Could he do it again? Do it with Aprilia and go to Yamaha [whom he has been linked with for 2027] with another championship?

"It's how good he looks on the bike to me. He looks so good. It's the Jorge Martin of old, prior to the injuries. He's back.”

Neil Hodgson gave his thoughts from the commentary booth moments after Martin crossed the finish line. He noted that the win came ”with his start, with his aggression [on the] first lap."

Hodgson added: ”The king of the Sprints. What a difference a year makes. How bizarre.

”Inch perfect. He’s always had the ability to go straight to the limit on opening laps. It’s why he’s won so many Sprint races. He looked good in FP1. I thought that’s as good as I’ve seen him look on the Aprilia.”

Bagnaia impresses Hodgson

The race started with Ducati Lenovo rider Francesco Bagnaia in pole position. And while he struggled at the start by losing the lead to Martin, he finished in second spot.

Bagnaia was Martin’s closest rival in 2024 but was also well down the pecking order in the following year’s title fight, finishing in fifth spot.

Highlights: Martin wins Grand Prix France Sprint as Marquez suffers costly crash

Video credit: TNT Sports

Hodgson noted the improvement from the two-time world champion, saying the Italians had been ”solid all weekend. This is the best Bagnaia’s looked on a race weekend since Japan.”

Bagnaia’s team-mate Marc Marquez, last year’s title winner, suffered a huge crash and has already been ruled out of Sunday’s full-length race, shown live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

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