Jorge Martin faces a tough battle to get ready in time for MotoGP’s season-opening Grand Prix of Thailand.
The Spaniard fractures bones in his left hand and right foot after a frightening highside just four laps into his Aprilia debut.
Martin was back on a plane to Spain for surgery almost immediately and has been racing to recover within four weeks for the first race of the MotoGP season.
Teammate Marco Bezzecchi has been impressive in his absence, proving that their bike will have pace this season and giving them a platform to perform well from lap one.
Aprilia predict Martin needs four races to find top form again, but his title defence can’t afford to be put on hold and he will be gunning for top positions as soon as possible.
Fellow countryman Aleix Espargaro sent a rallying cry to Martin after a recovery update telling him to ‘never give up’.

Jorge Martin faces two medical checks before MotoGP return
Aprilia staff are privately questioning Martin’s attitude after his crash with some believing that he rode in a bit of a careless fashion so early on.
That’s who the 27-year-old is, though. He’s a champion because he likes to push the boundaries and find the limits early on.
Already, he knows how far he can push his bike before it’s going to bite him, which could be valuable at some stage this season.
With Ducati expected to dominate from the front, especially early in the year, Martin may have a ‘get out of jail free card’ with Aprilia while he gets up to speed.
According to Speedweek, the Spaniard must undergo two tests before he can race again. One in Spain and one at MotoGP’s on-site facility in Buriram.
Jorge Martin told he was asking for trouble before Sepang crash
Martin wasted no time in getting to work on his first outing for Aprilia but suffered two accidents and refused to accept the first one as a warning.
Missing the rest of the Sepang test and the Buriram one that followed means that he is four and a half days of running down on his rivals, who are far more prepared for the season.
READ MORE: MotoGP will ‘probably’ make one Michelin tyre rule change after Jorge Martin crash
Martin has been told he was asking for trouble before his Sepang crash and that his stubborn approach cost his team in the end.
He has just one more week to recover before he must travel to Thailand, where he will face an uphill battle to get up to speed without being at 100% fitness.
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