Pramac MotoGP boss may have just let slip when Jorge Martin will return from injury

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Jorge Martin is set to miss the second MotoGP race of the season in Argentina. He’s already had to watch on from the sidelines in Thailand.

The new Aprilia signing injured himself twice during the winter, once during the pre-season test in Sepang, and then again in a private session in Spain. Martin broke a ‘particularly troublesome’ bone the second time around – the scaphoid.

Ordinarily, Martin’s injuries would take three months to heal. But it’s likely he’ll attempt to ride through the pain before that.

Trackhouse rider Ai Ogura offered the Spaniard a tantalising glimpse of the RS-GP25’s potential in Buriram by finishing fifth. Martin’s teammate Marco Bezzecchi was only one place behind.

Aprilia have yet to officially rule Martin out of round two in Termas de Rio Hondo, but Massimo Rivola has admitted that he won’t feature. A premature return could lead to lasting damage.

Sources close to Martin sound positive, reporting that his pain has decreased. He’s been able to start exercising at home.

Paolo Campinoti suggests Jorge Martin will return for Aprilia at Grand Prix of Qatar

Pramac founder and team principal Paolo Campinoti maintains a ‘special relationship’ with Martin after their historic achievements. Last season, he became the first satellite rider to win the title in the MotoGP era.

One would imagine Campinoti has been in contact with the 27-year-old. And he seems to have an inkling about when he’ll return.

The Italian expects him to make a comeback at the Grand Prix of Qatar on 13 April. In addition to the Argentina GP, that would mean missing the race in Austin.

Speaking to newspaper Corriere della Sera (via Moto.it), Campinoti said: “Jorge is a golden boy, we have a special relationship. He’s having a really unlucky year, everything that can go wrong goes wrong for him.

“Bad luck. They are used to falling and usually they don’t hurt themselves. This time in two flights he broke a hand, a foot… He’ll miss two more GPs.”

Jorge Martin receives blunt message from MotoGP doctor as he awaits Aprilia debut

Neil Hodgson suspects Martin hated watching Ogura in Thailand. A podium could have been possible if he was fit and healthy, particularly with Francesco Bagnaia struggling at Ducati.

When Martin does return, Aprilia will call for patience amid the inevitable excitement. He’ll be at a huge mileage deficit relative to his rivals, and the medical timelines suggest he won’t fully recover until late May.

MotoGP doctor Angel Charte is exercising caution with Martin, which Rivola should welcome. He explained that the scaphoid bone must be ‘consolidated’ before he gets the green light.

Charte has told Martin in no uncertain terms that he won’t be allowed to return in Argentina. And it sounds like his camp may already have set Qatar as their real target.