Marco Bezzecchi
Pre-season testing in Malaysia for the 2025 MotoGP season has made headlines for the wrong reasons.
After day one of testing on Wednesday, three riders have been sidelined for the remaining two days with injury. The most notable name is defending champion Jorge Martin.
The Spaniard suffered a violent highside at turn two, breaking his visor on impact with the ground. Aprilia took Martin to hospital after he complained of ‘great pain’, with him later being ruled out of the rest of testing.
Martin was not the only Aprilia rider to suffer injury on day one. Raul Fernandez broke his hand in a crash and will also miss the remaining test session at Sepang.
VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio broke his collarbone after failing from his Ducati while attempting a wheelie. The bizarre incident means the Italian requires surgery and has left Malaysia for Europe.
The crashes have prompted criticism towards MotoGP and Dorna, particularly from VR46 team director Alessio Salucci. He has called for change after both his riders suffered crashes on Wednesday.
Alessio Salucci is afraid of testing due to the ‘useless’ Michelin tyres in Malaysia
Aprilia chief Massimo Rivola stressed Martin was not at fault for his crash, pointing blame at Michelin and the tyre compounds supplied at Sepang. Salucci holds a similar view.
Franco Morbidelli crashed along with Di Giannantonio on day one because, as Salucci puts it, he was on a ‘tyre that was useless’. Speaking with GPOne, the VR46 chief says he is ‘afraid’ of testing as longer runs are not useful given the quality of the tyres.
Salucci has demanded change from Dorna about the situation: “We would like to try to understand how to resolve this situation because, in my opinion, it is also detrimental to the sport.
“Yesterday Franco crashed because he had been riding for an hour with a tyre that was useless and, at these levels, for a small distraction, you lie down and risk hurting yourself.
READ MORE: Luca Marini makes ‘at the limit’ claim to explain possible reason behind Jorge Martin Malaysia crash
“In fact, after a day of testing, three protagonists are already missing, including the world champion. I say this calmly and serenely, Dorna and Michelin should do something.
“We, as a team, are willing to talk about it and find a compromise because sometimes I am almost afraid to do the tests. In fact, just this morning, I spoke to all the guys and told them to do fewer laps, but quality ones.
“It is useless to do 100 laps, of which 30 are good and 70 are bad. Minei is constructive criticism because I love this sport, everyone works hard, then you get here and find yourself rationing the laps”.
Several key MotoGP figures sent messages of support to Jorge Martin
It has been a disastrous start for Aprilia and Martin’s pre-season campaign. The Noale-based outfit now only have two full-time riders for the rest of testing in Malaysia.
Several key figures have sent messages of support to the defending champion after his horror accident. Francesco Bagnaia hopes Martin is feeling well after the ‘insane’ accident, with the 26-year-old kept in hospital overnight.
Marc Marquez sent a ‘big hug’ to Martin as he wished him well following the crash. The six-time champion did seem confused by the ordeal as Marquez felt it was unexpected that Martin crashed in high-grip conditions.
Mauro Grassilli says MotoGP need Martin back ‘immediately’ as the Ducati chief wished him all the best. It is not currently known if the Aprilia rider will be back in action next week for testing in Buriram.
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