Marco Bezzecchi
MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin made his comeback at the Qatar Grand Prix weekend. He delivered an admirable performance until an unfortunate accident that will lead to another absence.
Martin has suffered a multitude of fractures in three separate incidents since the start of February. The first was a violent highside on the opening day of pre-season testing – his Aprilia debut.
But the Spaniard was on course to fight his way back for the season opener in Thailand until he sustained even more serious injuries in a supermoto test. A second operation ruled him out for three races.
Martin wasn’t even able to ride a MotoGP bike until FP1 at Qatar, when he finally received clearance from the sport’s doctors. Aprilia pushed for a change to the rules but their rival manufacturers didn’t unanimously support it.
He could have waited until the aftermath of the Spanish GP later this month, when the first official in-season test takes place. But he was desperate to return and rode at an impressive pace before a relatively innocuous fall that was greatly exacerbated by contact with Fabio di Giannantonio.
Martin Brundle loves the toughness of MotoGP riders – Jorge Martin epitomises it
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 before the season started, Martin Brundle was asked whether he follows any other sports. He took the opportunity to share his interest in motorcycle racing.
Brundle is a supporter of Premier League football club West Ham United but says he’s been ‘put off’ the sport by the theatrics of the players. This, he says, stands in stark contrast to the attitude of the MotoGP riders.
The former McLaren F1 driver is in awe of their toughness. Experts said that Martin’s supermoto injuries would take three months to heal, but he was back in around six weeks, so he epitomises that spirit.
“You know what put me off football?” Brundle said. “Diving and crying. I can’t put up with it.
“A MotoGP rider will come off on a Friday – and they come off all the time – break a collarbone, fly to somewhere or other, have it screwed in place on a Saturday, and race on Sunday. That’s my kind of sportsperson.”
Jorge Martin should listen to Jorge Lorenzo very carefully after Qatar Grand Prix crash
After his accident, some would question the wisdom of Martin’s return. But it’s important to stress that he did look ready.
Indeed, Neil Hodgson was amazed by Martin’s performance in the Sprint, where he passed former title rival Francesco Bagnaia before falling back. Had Di Giannantonio not been right behind him at turn 12, he could well have been fit for Jerez despite his accident.
It was misfortune rather than carelessness, but he could face three months out nonetheless. It’s possible that he doesn’t return until after the summer break to maximise healing time.
But equally, he’s already shown the gladiatorial, almost superhuman recovery powers that MotoGP fans relish. Three-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo sent ‘strength’ to Martin and assured him that this devastating period of his career would pass.
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