The Pramac Ducati rider emerged as eventual champion Francesco Bagnaia’s toughest competitor for the 2023 title, winning four grands prix and nine sprints.
Martin kept the championship battle going to the final race of the year but ultimately came up short after a tangle with Marc Marquez ended his Valencia Grand Prix and handed the title to Bagnaia.
He feels that after doing the double at the Japanese GP was the moment where he felt like he could win the championship, but admits the pressure that came with this was difficult to deal with.
“Well, I think Misano was the moment where I said ‘Ok, I’m the best at the moment’,” he said when asked what he thought the turning point in his season was.
“Winning in Misano, in Italy, in their [Ducati’s] home was unbelievable. It was the best feeling ever.
“But then when we went to India, I won the sprint and I was second with the wrong tyre.
“Then I went to Japan and won both, so I think Japan maybe was the point where I said we could win the championship.
Source: Autosport