Jorge Martín’s return to racing: What it means for Aprilia’s 2025 season
- Silvia Cojocaru
- 16 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Written by Silvia Cojocaru, Edited by Aashna Singh
Current MotoGP world champion Jorge Martín faced a nightmare start to his season. He was forced to sit out in the first three races of the year, but his return in Qatar was not what he had hoped for. Martín crashed again, casting doubts on his return to racing in 2025.
Pre-Season testing
Starting the new season as the world champion and joining a new team, Jorge Martín had everything to prove coming into the 2025 season.
However, a nasty crash on the first day of pre-season testing left the Spaniard with multiple fractures in his right hand and right foot. He was forced to sit out during the other days of testing so he could recover.
Just a few weeks later, while training on a motocross bike, Martín suffered another injury, this time breaking his left radius and scaphoid.
After this new crash, it was clear that Martín would not be able to compete in the first race in Thailand.
Return to Qatar
After numerous speculations regarding his return, Martín announced that he would return to the track at the Qatar Grand Prix.
It was evident from the start that Martín’s first race weekend of the season would not be easy. The injuries he sustained were not to be taken lightly, and the reigning world champion lacked experience on the new Aprilia Racing bike, only completing a dozen laps before crashing during testing.
Aprilia proposed a change to the rules that would allow Martín to test the new bike before his return. However, the team’s rival manufacturers failed to unanimously approve this change.
Martín did not seem too affected by the decision, preferring not to risk any new injury before Qatar. The Spaniard stated: "It would be a mistake to speed [the recovery] up; we would risk making everything even longer."
During practice on Friday, Martín focused on completing as many laps as possible, and after the sprint, he was pleased with finishing the race and even managing to battle Francesco Bagnaia at the start.
The “Martínator’s” main focus for the race on Sunday was to see the chequered flag and prove that he could rejoin the grid.
Unfortunately, things didn't go his way when Martín crashed on Lap 14 and was immediately taken to the medical centre and later to a hospital in Doha.
The champion suffered numerous rib fractures and a hemopneumothorax, which meant that his lungs could not properly expand. He recently left the hospital, but stated that he would remain in Qatar for additional supervision.
Consequences for Aprilia
Aprilia Racing certainly had different expectations for the 2025 season. Their rider line-up made headlines, being regarded as one of the strongest on the grid: Marco Bezzecchi, who had made the move from Pertamina Enduro VR46, and Jorge Martín, the current world champion.
However, now six races in, Aprilia are only 10th in the team championship standings and their results don’t seem to be improving. The team is said to be working on a new chassis as they attempt to take the fight to the other manufacturers.
During Martín’s absence, Lorenzo Savadori, Aprilia’s reserve rider, raced in his place. He only managed to score eight points. Bezzecchi would remain the driving force behind the team.
Although Bezzecchi had decent results, it is clear that Aprilia’s hopes were placed on Martín before the season started. Even after suffering multiple injuries, the Spaniard stuck close to his teammate for his first qualifying session of the season in Qatar and he only finished five places behind him in the sprint race, despite not having experience on the new bike.
Whether he will be able to return this year or not, Martín proved that he is someone who can fight for top positions. Undoubtedly, his team and the whole motorcycle racing world await his comeback.
