Marco Bezzecchi
The MotoGP world is rallying around champion Jorge Martin after he suffered fresh injuries at the Qatar Grand Prix on Sunday. Martin could be facing another absence as a result.
The Aprilia rider crashed on the opening day of pre-season testing in February, with the resulting surgery ruling him out for the rest of the winter. He then tried to return for the season opener in Thailand but had another, more serious accident in a supermoto test.
Following an additional operation, Martin missed the first three races. He finally returned to action in Qatar and showed respectable pace, qualifying 14th and reaching the chequered flag in the Sprint – something he wasn’t sure he’d manage.
However, a lowside fall during the main Grand Prix was exacerbated by a collision with VR46’s Fabio di Giannantonio. Martin has suffered a total of 11 fractures and a collapsed lung and will remain at a Qatari hospital for the early part of the week.
Jorge Lorenzo assures Jorge Martin ‘we’ve all been through time likes this’
Martin wrestled with major doubts after his last crash, fearing at one point that he’d never ride at the same level again. But this time, he’s just thankful the damage wasn’t more severe.
“Thank God, this could have been much worse,” he wrote on Instagram on Monday, attaching a selfie from the hospital bed. “I’ll try to keep you updated.”
A whole host of riders from the current grid replied, but he also received a message from three-time premier-class champion Jorge Lorenzo. His fellow Spaniard reassured him that this too shall pass.
Lorenzo missed four races in 2018 with a foot injury after a crash at Aragon. And in his final season, he was ruled out for a further four Grands Prix with a fractured back.
“Much strength Champion!” Lorenzo wrote. “We’ve all been through times like this f—… But all bad happens and this too will! A hug!”
What Marc Marquez said to Jorge Martin after Qatar Grand Prix crash
MotoGP fans were furious that there were no red flags following Martin’s crash on Sunday. The 27-year-old received treatment by the side of the track while the racing continued under yellow flags.
This was a risky move from race control that, in the eyes of some viewers, tainted an otherwise richly entertaining Qatar Grand Prix. The series had just celebrated the return of its champion, but now he could miss his home race.
Marc Marquez also tried to motivate Martin on social media, writing ‘fuerza Jorge’. The Ducati rider will naturally be sympathetic after what he experienced at the start of the decade.
Should Martin be ruled out again, test rider Lorenzo Savadori will return to the RS-GP25. Savadori has also sustained injuries on the motorcycle this year, but should be fine for Jerez if required.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
