TNT Sports
‘He just absolutely nailed it’ - Michael Laverty hails ‘fantastic win’ for Jorge Martin at Grand Prix United States Sprint race
By
Published 28/03/2026 at 21:57 GMT
React to this story
TNT Sports pundits Michael Laverty and Sylvain Guintoli reflected on Jorge Martin's impressive win at the Sprint race of Grand Prix United States on Saturday. The Aprilia rider was praised for his choice of a medium tyre which allowed him to sweep past Ducati Lenovo's Francesco Bagnaia, while the Italian's team-mate Marc Marquez collided with VR46's Fabio Di Giannantonio.
Highlights: Martin wins Grand Prix United States Sprint amid chaotic scenes
Video credit: TNT Sports
Michael Laverty and Sylvain Guintoli were both left impressed by Jorge Martin’s late victory at the Grand Prix United States Sprint race on Saturday.
Martin chose medium tyres to the surprise of some observers, but the decision appeared vindicated when his pace outstripped those ahead of him, and he passed Ducati Lenovo’s Francesco Bagnaia to claim a dramatic win.
The victory propelled the Spaniard to the top of the standings as he finally appeared comfortable on his Aprilia bike after a horrific first season with the manufacturer, blighted by a succession of injuries as well as a reported spat over his contract.
Ultimately, the former world champion remained with the Italian team, and he is once more leading the way in the championship, albeit after just the third Sprint race of the season, with much more racing to come.
However, both Laverty and Guintoli reflected on the tactical nous of Martin to deliver a victory, which was somewhat embarrassingly celebrated with an accident after a failed wheelie on the warm-down lap.
Speaking on TNT Sports after the race, Laverty was thrilled not just by Martin’s performance, but the Sprint itself, which saw Marco Bezzecchi, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marc Marquez all suffer costly crashes during the race.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/03/28/image-0cdbc922-a48c-44f4-a1b4-962087af6a61-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'This is one of the strangest days I've witnessed' - Martin crashes after incredible wheelie fail
Video credit: TNT Sports
”That was what Sprints were designed for,” he began. ”The way Jorge used strategy today, making a call for a medium tyre in a Sprint race. When he got passed by Bezzecchi you thought, ‘Ah, it's not going to happen for him today,’ but the tyre just came into its own.
”The last two laps, he took out so much ground around the triple right-hander on the final lap, and he just wasted no time.
”A clean block pass, and then he just absolutely nailed it to the line. Fantastic win."
Guintoli echoed his colleague, adding: ”The tyre choice paid off, just like that for the last few laps. Jorge Martin made it count - he had one opportunity to do it, and he did it, at Turn 12.
”It was a risky move to go on the inside and release his brake.
"Jorge Martin, after a year of an absolute nightmare, injury after injury.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2026/03/28/image-db5750c3-46f3-4aae-a135-18a5b2bc32f6-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'He's crashed out!' - Marquez crashes and takes out Di Giannantonio on opening lap
Video credit: TNT Sports
”He had to be fed by his girlfriend, rebuild his body, rebuild his confidence, relearn that Aprilia again, and this is the result.
”I have got to say that man looks so good on the Aprilia right now.”
‘Don’t like each other’ - Di Giannantonio v Marquez rivalry will ‘brew’
Reflecting on an early crash between Marquez and Di Giannantonio which saw both riders lose any chance of points in the Saturday race, Laverty noted that the riders are not believed to be the best of friends, which could lead to some antipathy down the line.
”It's what fans love to hate about Marc,” he observed. ”He's instinctive, he went for it, he wanted to pay back immediately the move on DiGi, because that probably upset him, the move on Lap 1, but he just came from too far back. Too greedy.
- Bezzecchi and Marini handed two-place grid penalties in Austin
- Di Giannantonio lands second consecutive pole as he goes quickest at Grand Prix United States
- Neil Hodgson Column: Marquez is the favourite - but how much more pain can he take?
”You have to feel for DiGi. Marc made the mistake, so he crashed. That's his own penalty.
”DiGi, the innocent victim. Those two don't like each other, that story is going to brew.”
The duo will have the chance to renew hostilities on Sunday during the full-length race, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
Stream every race of the 2026 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and HBO Max
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement