Marco Bezzecchi
Aprilia are trying to give Jorge Martin a private test on the RS-GP25 before his return to MotoGP.
The defending premier class champion has missed all of pre-season and the start of the 2025 season through injury. Martin suffered hand and foot fractures from a violent highside on day one of testing in Sepang.
After undergoing successful surgery, Aprilia were optimistic the Spaniard would be back for the start of the year. However, Martin suffered a major setback with a crash in training, fracturing more of his hand.
The 27-year-old’s injuries have ruled him out of the Thailand and Argentina Grand Prix. Martin also confirmed he will be out for the next round in Austin as he eyes a return in Qatar.
The 2024 champion will be desperately underprepared when he does make his return, having had little to no experience on the RS-GP25 this year.
Therefore, Aprilia are pushing to get Jorge Martin a test on the bike before returning to MotoGP action. The situation has divided people in the paddock.
Jack Miller says ‘rules are the rules’ in response to Aprilia’s push for Jorge Martin test
Aprilia’s main issue is the team can only run their test riders in private outings. Yamaha and Honda are allowed to use their full-time riders in tests to try and bridge the gap between the competition under the concession system.
Interestingly, the Scorze-based outfit went to the media about their plans before going to Dorna or the Grand Prix commission. Aprilia may have made a desperate error with that move as using the power of the press may not get them anywhere compared to discussing the matter privately.
Ducati boss Davide Tardozzi will not support Aprilia’s proposal. He says it would not be fair to make changes to the rules mid-season.
Pramac rider Jack Miller agrees with Tardozzi. Speaking with the Spanish edition of Motorsport.com, the Aussie says ‘the rules are the rules’, referencing how Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez could not do extra testing after their lengthy injuries in MotoGP
“At the end of the day, this is MotoGP and the rules have been like this for a very long time,” said Miller.
“If you go back to when Valentino Rossi broke his leg [2010 season] and so on, or I’m also talking about Marc Márquez, for example, who missed almost an entire season [2020]…”
“They were only able to do the test they were given [during the season]. That’s the way it works. We have Superbikes and different [modalities] of riding. The rules are the rules, it’s unfortunate for them [Martín and Aprilia], but those are the cards they’ve been dealt this year,” he concluded.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Jack Miller from net worth to wife
Aprilia are struggling without Jorge Martin after a difficult start to 2025
Martin’s injury destroyed Aprilia’s optimism for the 2025 season in Sepang. They had been hopeful of a strong start with the Spaniard and Marco Bezzecchi in their line-up.
Lorenzo Salvadori has stood in for Martin and has languished at the back of the field in both races – although that is expected given he is a test rider. Aprilia staff were impressed with Bezzecchi after testing but it has not translated into performance during the season.
The Italian finished sixth in Buriram and crashed out in Argentina after a collision with Fabio Quartararo at the first corner. Aprilia will be desperate to have Martin back on the bike as soon as possible to recover their season.
Tardozzi warned Marquez of Martin and the fact the championship leader has not faced him yet. The issue is the 2024 champion still does not know the RS-GP25 and will likely be playing catch-up for the first few races.
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