<p>Following a mistake in Indonesia that lost him his lead in the MotoGP standings, Jorge Martin of Spain is keen to avoid any mistakes when the heated championship battle turns to Phillip Island this week.<img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-242679″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/theindiaprint.com-kavitha-from-brs-refers-to-rahul-as-election-gandhi-and-invites-him-to-go-to-tgana.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com kavitha from brs refers to rahul as election gandhi and invites him to go to tgana” width=”1407″ height=”936″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/theindiaprint.com-kavitha-from-brs-refers-to-rahul-as-election-gandhi-and-invites-him-to-go-to-tgana.jpg 275w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/theindiaprint.com-kavitha-from-brs-refers-to-rahul-as-election-gandhi-and-invites-him-to-go-to-tgana-150×100.jpg 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 1407px) 100vw, 1407px” title=”With the MotoGP championship on the line, Jorge Martin strives for an error-free Australia 6″></p>
<p>Last weekend, the Pramac star won the sprint at the Mandalika circuit in Lombok, Indonesia, to increase his championship lead over Francesco Bagnaia of Italy by seven points.</p>
<p>However, he wasted all of his hard work in the grand prix on Sunday, colliding into a gravel trap when three seconds ahead and apparently on the way to winning his fourth race of the year.</p>
<p>Since Austin’s third round in April, it was his first failure to score in a grand prix.</p>
<p>He cannot afford any more mistakes in Australia with just five stops remaining in the 20-leg season, with Bagnaia on his Ducati currently leading by 18 points and fellow Italian Marco Bezzecchi still in contention, 45 points behind.</p>
<p>Martin said that his accident was an isolated incident and blamed it on a filthy track.</p>
<p>“I haven’t made a mistake in 14 races. Simply statistics. Sooner or later, it was going to happen, he remarked. The races that are left to be run, I am convinced I can win.</p>
<p>Martin’s gift was accepted by the current world champion Bagnaia, who went on to win his sixth MotoGP race of 2023 and his first since Austria in August.</p>
<p>Following his victory in Austria, Bagnaia had a 66-point advantage over Martin, but his competitor saw the margin shrink due to injuries and mistakes, including finishing last at Catalunya and India.</p>
<p>The Italian said that returning to the winners’ circle had given him newfound confidence going into a difficult Australian weekend.</p>
<p>He said that having such performance again was crucial and that it provided him with “a lot of motivation.”</p>
<p>“For my team as well as for myself. They always strive to provide the most.</p>
<p>The beachfront Phillip Island circuit’s grand prix was plagued by heavy rain during the last race, and more rain is expected this week.</p>
<p>The 2023 race was a thriller despite the weather, with Spain’s Alex Rins finishing first ahead of fellow Spaniard Marc Marquez and Bagnaia in one of the sport’s tightest top three finishes ever.</p>
<p>Martin won the pole position by breaking the nine-year lap record, however he came in sixth.</p>
<p>Both Honda’s Marquez and Aprilla’s Maverick Vinales, together with Rins, are previous Australian champions.</p>
<p>Another to watch on his home track will be local hero Jack Miller, who is eighth in the world championship standings and is sure that his KTM bike is suitable for the Phillip Island conditions.</p>
<p>“I think the KTM can work really, really well around the island,” he said.</p>
<p>When traveling at a high speed—which is necessary to navigate the island—the bike is pleasant and nimble, and there is always a good amount of grip. We’re crossing our fingers that we can entertain the home crowd well.</p>
