Fabiano Sterlacchini reveals the ‘amazing’ thing Jorge Martin did in his first Aprilia MotoGP debrief

Add as preferred source on Google

Jorge Martin’s task is to lead Aprilia to the MotoGP title. He’s taken a gamble by leaving the Ducati stable to join the Noale outfit.

Martin won the 2024 championship at Pramac, the first time a rider has achieved glory at a satellite team in the MotoGP era. But he was denied a promotion to the factory Ducati squad.

He lost out in an effective shoot-out with Marc Marquez, the six-time premier-class champion. But while Pramac defected to Yamaha, he could still have raced a current-spec Ducati at either VR46 or Gresini.

Martin, however, made it clear that he wanted a factory ride. And that set up his move to Aprilia.

Last year, Massimo Rivola’s team only won one race, with the now-departed Maverick Vinales taking victory at the Grand Prix of the Americas. Neither Vinales nor Aleix Espargaro stood on the podium after that.

But one ex-Yamaha crew chief believes Martin can emulate Valentino Rossi with his impact on Aprilia. Great riders, he says, can turn good bikes into contending machinery.

Fabiano Sterlacchini knew Jorge Martin was a ‘leader’ after Aprilia speech

Martin had the chance to test for Aprilia at the post-season event in Barcelona in November. He’d sealed the title at the Solidarity GP on the previous Sunday.

Speaking at Aprilia’s launch event on Thursday, technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini shared some insight on his first day in the saddle. Martin apparently delivered a rousing speech in the post-session debrief.

The Spaniard, who’s grown in stature after becoming a champion, motivated his new colleagues heading into the off-season. Sterlacchini is himself a new addition, having arrived from KTM to replace the Honda-bound Romano Albesiano.

He told SPEEDWEEK: “At the end of the test in Barcelona, ​​he gave a speech to everyone at the technical meeting and it’s amazing how motivated he is – he’s already a leader. He may have taken the final step towards that on Sunday in Barcelona.”

Jorge Martin’s camp privately made exciting claim about Aprilia move at MotoGP launch

Martin has chosen to sport the no. 1 at Aprilia, rather than 89. This will no doubt be a special sight for the team’s staff.

Indeed, Aprilia may have paid Martin extra to run with #1. It’s clearly a better proposition for their sponsors.

The 26-year-old very much an outsider in the 2025 title race. That could make his stint with the iconic plate short-lived.

However, according to a member of his management team, Martin is ‘super happy’ at Aprilia. He’s relishing the prospect of a pressure-free season, with the Ducati duo shouldering all the expectation.