Marco Bezzecchi
Jorge Martin is edging closer to a MotoGP return following an injury-riddled start to the 2025 season.
The defending champion has missed pre-season and the opening three races of the year. Martin suffered multiple fractures in a violent highside in Sepang.
After undergoing successful surgery, Aprilia were hopeful they would have the number one rider ready for the start of the season. However, the Spaniard had a major setback during his recovery.
Martin crashed during training and suffered more fractures to his hand. He broke his scaphoid, and the severity of his injuries left him in serious doubt for the start of the season.
The 27-year-old missed the Grand Prix in Thailand and Argentina. He confirmed at Termas de Rio Hondo that he would also miss the Grand Prix of the Americas – the site of Aprilia’s only win of 2024 courtesy of Maverick Vinales.
Martin is hoping to return for the Qatar Grand Prix, but the Spaniard has a lot of catching up to do. Luckily, he has the ‘best rider’ to learn from in his teammate.
Jorge Martin says Marco Bezzecchi is the ‘best rider’ to have as a reference as they have similar setups
It has been an incredibly challenging start to the season for Martin. He would not have wanted his Aprilia career to kick off with a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Martin’s crash shattered Aprilia’s optimism for 2025 as they lost their star rider on the first day of pre-season. The defending champion was also deeply affected by the incident, with Martin wondering whether he would ride again at the same level he had been in 2024.
The Spaniard still has a way to go with his recovery, but he says he has a great reference in Marco Bezzecchi. The pair moved to Aprilia from satellite Ducati teams Pramac and VR46 respectively over the winter.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italy in the paddock in Austin, Martin said the Italian’s ‘very similar setup’ makes him the ‘best rider’ to learn from when he returns.
“I’ve always been in contact with Massimo, Fabiano, Marco. I think he’s the best rider to have a reference because he was also in Ducati and we had a very similar setup,” he said.
“I think his base can help me to start. The potential is definitely there, we saw it with Ogura and Bezzecchi. I’ll arrive and we’ll start working again”.
Can Jorge Martin perform on his return to Aprilia?
The defending champion hopes to be back on the MotoGP grid for the fourth round of the year. However, Aprilia insiders have doubts about Martin returning in Qatar – they will be desperate to get him back riding.
The Scorze-based team have not had the start to the year they were hoping for. In Martin’s absence, Bezzecchi has scored 14 points after crashing out in Argentina.
Ai Ogura has hugely impressed for Trackhouse, giving Martin encouragement that he can perform on the RS-GP25. However, the valuable time he has lost being injured has ruined his title defence.
But not many will have expected the 27-year-old to defend his crown anyway. Martin may have a ‘get out of jail free card’ for 2025 as he will not be expected to fight Ducati after his injuries.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
