MotoGP title race momentum shifts towards Jorge Martin after Grand Prix France, say TNT Sports experts - ‘Psychological blow’

At Grand Prix France on Sunday afternoon, former world champion Martin completed his weekend double, having claimed victory in the Sprint race on Saturday.

The Aprilia riders went into the weekend as one and two in the world title standings, and while the Italian continues to stay top of the table with 128 points, his team-mate is now just a single point ahead.

That means that at Grand Prix Catalunya next week, shown live on TNT Sports and HBO Max, the Spaniard could go top.

On Sunday afternoon, Martin started from the third row to overtake Bezzecchi, who led for most of the race.

He was less aggressive in his move for the lead than he might have been against a rider outside his team, but he was still at his clinical best as he battled to victory, regardless of who was in front of him.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the race, Hodgson described how the mood had changed in the championship.

”It's not just 25 points,” Hodgson explained. ”That's the psychological blow. That's huge, that is. 

”To catch and pass your team-mate from so far back, that takes some doing. That’s a psychological blow and straight to Barcelona next week.

”I mean, Jorge Martin has got a strut to him already, he's got a bit of swag, and I've got to say he's a really nice guy away from the paddock.

”He comes across a bit cocky and arrogant, but he's lovely when you want to have a chat with him. He's brilliant. I can't wait for next week.”

Turning to Bezzecchi, Hodgson thought that the rider would be suffering despite a solid points return, with the context of the result mattering more.

Hodgson continued: ”He'll be gutted. He'll be absolutely gutted. What a race though.

”You can say it was 20 points, but this is all about what’s going on between your ears. When you’ve been destroyed by your team-mate in two races... It weighs heavy.”

Hodgson’s colleague Michael Laverty recognised the improvement in Martin’s performance, and pointed out that he is yet to really get to grips with the bike after a 2025 season ruined by injury, which also prevented him from testing the bike for the current campaign.

Laverty said: ”He's still working on his base setup. He's working on it throughout the weekend. Yesterday he was the surprise victor. Not a surprise today. 

”Having to come back.... Chipping away, keeping his momentum, he has all the attributes on that Aprilia. It makes him a real threat.”

He also described the change in sentiment over the title race, adding: ”The momentum has shifted a bit over the last couple of rounds.

”Bezzecchi historically hasn’t won a world title. Martin has delivered already in MotoGP. I do think the prowess will shift. Martin knows what is ahead of him, how to get the job done.”

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