Marco Bezzecchi
Jorge Martin will miss the Grand Prix of the Americas later this month, the world champion confirmed on Thursday. It will be the third straight absence for the new Aprilia signing.
Martin was sidelined for the MotoGP season opener in Thailand after a supermoto accident at the start of the week. The Spaniard, who had already sustained fractures in a nasty highside at the Sepang Test, had to undergo a second operation of the winter.
Speaking in Buriram, Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola unofficially ruled his star signing out of the Argentina Grand Prix. MotoGP doctors told Martin not to travel to Termas de Rio Hondo.
He appeared in Thursday’s press conference via video link, where he confirmed that he wouldn’t return in Austin either. He’s not yet sure whether he’ll be able to make the following race in Qatar.
MotoGP fans will have to wait until at least the middle of April to see the title holder in action. Lorenzo Savadori will continue to deputise in the meantime.
Martin’s mother wants MotoGP to retake the grid photo when he does return. The no. 1 bike was left vacant as the riders carried out the tradition before the first round.
Jorge Martin might seek Aprilia test exemption amid MotoGP injury absence
During his appearance, Martin said he wanted to complete a test before his comeback. That will allow him to gauge his strength.
Martin pushed hard in his private session in Spain before crashing. It’s unclear whether that accident can be attributed to his pre-existing injuries, or a simple mistake.
Under the concessions rules, Aprilia’s full-time riders can only take part in official tests. The first of these isn’t scheduled until the end of April following the Grand Prix of Spain.
As reported by The Race, Aprilia will hope that Martin can compete at Jerez. To that end, Rivola may seek an exemption, or a change to the rules, that allows the 27-year-old to ride the RS-GP 25 beforehand.
Martin said Rivola was ‘working on’ a solution, which may have been a hint that he’s ‘lobbying’ the rulemakers.
Jorge Martin’s mother credits Marc Marquez after seeing his text to her son
The press conference was also attended by Marc Marquez, Francesco Bagnaia and Alex Marquez – the podium finishers in Thailand. Each of them directly passed on their best wishes to their rival.
Martin has already received a sincere text from Marquez, which his mother called a touching gesture. Susana Almoguera added that it ‘says a lot’ about the six-time champion’s character.
Pramac boss Paolo Campinoti suggested Martin would return in Qatar in a recent interview. It’s possible he was aware of his former rider’s plans.
In the meantime, Marco Bezzecchi is a rider to watch for Aprilia in Argentina. He’s already won twice at the venue, once in Moto3 and then again in the premier class two years ago.
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