Marco Bezzecchi
Jorge Martin suffered a heartbreaking return to MotoGP at the Qatar Grand Prix. The defending champion has sustained more injuries after a crash during Sunday’s race.
The Aprilia rider had been out since the start of pre-season after a highside in Sepang and a supermoto crash during his recovery. Martin returned to the MotoGP paddock in Austin before getting back onto his RS-GP25 at the Qatar Grand Prix.
The Spanaird’s return was always going to be difficult. Martin had not ridden a motorcycle since his supermoto accident and he was still clearly struggling with his injuries.
Martin was ‘tired’ of his poor positioning on his bike due to the problems with his left hand. He also needed assistance with several aspects of the weekend, as cameras captured Martin unable to put his helmet on unaided by his team.
After finishing 16th in the Sprint, the 27-year-old suffered a nasty accident in the Grand Prix with eight laps to go. Martin fell off his bike at turn 12 and was struck by the VR46 of Fabio Di Giannantonio.
The Spaniard was visibly in pain as medical staff attended to him off the track. Stewards did not red flag the race during this incident, which left MotoGP fans furious with FIM over the race not being stopped.
MotoGP fans says Jorge Martin’s updates keep getting worse after Qatar Grand Prix crash
Initially, it was suspected Martin had suffered a collapsed lung and six broken ribs in the crash. However, an update from journalist Simon Patterson revealed that the Spanaird had in fact sustained 11 broken ribs.
Thankfully, the Aprilia rider has not had any ‘traumatic alterations affecting the brain’ or his abdominal organs. However, MotoGP fans could not help but feel that each update gets worse as they raised their concerns on Reddit.
One fan wrote: “Quantity of broken ribs keep increasing. At least there are no other complications, broken ribs will heal with rest,” while another said: “This just keeps getting worse.”
Another user wrote: “That fall didn’t look so heavy. Damn 6 broken ribs for champion.”
One fan expressed sympathy for the Spaniard as they said: “Every post increases number of broken ribs. If this continues poor Martin will have 42 broken ribs soon.”
Another user pointed out the extent of his injuries with the latest update: “6? From the post it now adds up to 11 if I read it correctly.”
A fan replied to the above comment: “11 fractures, but that could still be “only” eight ribs actually broken – posterior and lateral fractures can occur simultaneously on the same rib. Not that it makes much of a difference – that is another long absence either way.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Jorge Martin from net worth to girlfriend
MotoGP stars flock to send encouraging messages to Jorge Martin after latest crash
There had been encouraging signs from the Aprilia rider on his return. Martin overtook 2024 title rival Francesco Bagnaia during the Sprint race – ‘nobody’ would have expected him to do that in Lusail.
However, the 27-year-old has been brought back down to earth with another crash. Martin is certainly set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Several MotoGP riders took to the Spaniard’s Instagram post from the hospital to send him words of support. Marc Marquez sent a rallying message to Martin as he urged him to stay strong during the ordeal.
Legendary rider Jorge Lorenzo sympathised with Martin as he stressed ‘we’ve been through times like this.’ Bagnaia, Alex Marquez and Maverick Vinales also shared their support for their colleague as he begins another spell of recovery.
It is currently not clear how long Martin will be sidelined. However, it will likely be an extended period of time – it could even spell the end of his season.
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