Jorge Martin says one particular moment was ‘gnawing’ away at him before he decided to leave Ducati

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Jorge Martin has missed the first two races of the 2025 MotoGP season and will miss one more before he is allowed to make his official Aprilia Racing debut.

The Spaniard suffered a devastating accident just a few laps into his first session as an Aprilia rider during pre-season testing.

It meant that Martin was forced to miss the season-opener in Thailand before complications in his recovery delayed his return beyond races in Argentina and the United States.

The reigning MotoGP champion has already lost plenty of ground in the championship fight and has effectively surrendered his crown.

Martin is feeling ‘a lot of anxiety’ about returning to action and has doubts over whether he can gel with his new machine.

He performed well on a Ducati, but the Aprilia isn’t as strong. ‘Sources close to’ Martin shared good news about his recovery, but he cannot afford to rush back to action. It could do long-term damage.

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Jorge Martin said Enea Bastianini overtake was ‘gnawing’ at him and convinced him to leave Ducati

Following an intense race at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix, Martin was overtaken by the factory Ducati bike of Enea Bastianini at the final corner, on the final lap.

It helped to secure them a one-two, while is cost Martin four points in his fight for the title, which he eventually won just just 10 points.

Speaking to GPOne, he admitted that it was after that race he decided he would leave the Pramac team and Ducati setup at the end of the year.

“At Mugello Enea overtook me at the last corner and it was gnawing at me, a matter of rider pride,” he said. “When I got to the parc ferme I found a bad atmosphere and decided I didn’t want to be there, but at that moment I still thought we were going to conclude with Ducati.

“Then Albert [Valera] came to me and simply said ‘let’s go’. We could have gone anywhere but there it was immediate and I thought ‘Okay, let’s go and find another option.'”

READ MORE: Aprilia have let themselves down by making one desperate move to secure Jorge Martin test

Why Aprilia desperately need Jorge Martin to return to MotoGP soon

Aprilia have suffered a very underwhelming start to the season without Martin on their bike. Test rider Lorenzo Savadori hasn’t been able to deliver any pace or results

Marco Bezzecchi flashed some excellence in Thailand before an unforced error on lap one of the Argentina Grand Prix saw him retire almost immediately.

By far the most impressive rider on an Aprilia bike has been Ai Ogura for Trackhouse. The rookie has finished in the top 10 twice (despite an Argentina disqualification) and has proven that their machine has some pace.

Eugene Laverty called Ogura ‘incredible’ on debut and backed the Japanese star after he managed a fourth place in Thailand.

It offers some hope to Martin too, that there is still plenty of racing ahead this season and good results to be salvaged on a bike with some potential.