Aprilia must forget Lorenzo Savadori and promote ‘unbelievable’ rider to cover for injured Jorge Martin

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Jorge Martin’s injuries have completely derailed Aprilia’s plans in the 2025 MotoGP season. The manufacturer have had a difficult start to the year.

The Noale-based outfit signed the defending champion from Pramac after he beat Francesco Bagnaia by 10 points in 2024. The feeling was good heading into pre-season testing, but Aprilia’s optimism was shattered by Martin’s crash on day one in Sepang.

Since then, the Spaniard has desperately struggled with major setbacks. He missed the first three rounds of 2025 after he crashed a motocross bike during his recovery.

Test rider Lorenzo Savadori replaced him in Thailand, Argentina and Austin, before Martin returned for the Qatar Grand Prix. In Sunday’s race, he suffered 11 broken ribs and a punctured lung after he was hit by Fabio Di Giannantonio.

Due to the severity of his injuries, Martin cannot fly back home to Spain, unless they can organise a low-altitude flight to take him back. The Aprilia rider is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines, with him possibly out until the summer break.

Aprilia have confirmed Savadori will replace him in the meantime. However, after the manufacturer’s start to the season, they must look at another rider to fill the hole left by Martin.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Jorge Martin from net worth to girlfriend

Aprilia must promote Ai Ogura instead of Lorenzo Savadori to replace Jorge Martin

Unsurprisingly, Savadori has merited little success in Martin’s absence. The Italian test rider has scored one point in 2025, finishing 15th in Austin.

Difficulties have been felt across the board at Aprilia. Marco Bezzecchi has had an underwhelming start with poor qualifying performances, while Raul Fernandez must make ‘big sweeping changes’ after scoring just five points for Trackhouse thus far in 2025.

However, there have been one bright spark at the manufacturer; Ai Ogura. The Japanese rider has taken to MotoGP seamlessly, scoring 29 points from four Grand Prix – three less than factory rider Bezzecchi.

The 24-year-old came out of the blocks firing as he finished fourth in the Sprint and fifth in the Grand Prix in Thailand. Sylvain Guintoli lauded Ogura’s ‘unbelievable’ performance in Bururam as he threatened Francesco Bagnaia for a podium.

Fellow rookie Fermin Aldeguer has been surprised by Ogura in 2025. Not many would have expected the Moto2 champion to perform immediately in the premier class – it has caught the attention of Aprilia.

Journalist Renita Vermeulen discussed on the Pit Talk podcast a rumour on social media that Ogura could replace Martin at the factory team. While it would be risky to throw a rookie into the deep end, it would be a better option than Savadori.

The 32-year-old has proven to be uncompetitive on the RS-GP25 – Aprilia cannot afford to have a bike languishing at the back when they know it can fight for points. Ogura can give them that chance, with the satellite Trackhouse outfit being a better fit for Savadori.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Ai Ogura from height to career stats

Aprilia are ‘on alert’ for a new rider to add to the ranks

Michael Laverty thinks Martin can unlock Aprilia’s acceleration and top speed by watching Ogura at Trackhouse. His performances in 2025 give the manufacturer every reason to promote him in the 27-year-old’s absence.

However, for the time being, it seems Savadori is their man. Motorsport Italia have reported that Aprilia are not currently looking for a replacement for Martin in the short term.

But the report also states that Aprilia are ‘on alert.’ They are looking outside of their garage for a young rider who can ‘work on development, be a substitute and train within the team itself.’

But again, Aprilia have reiterated they are not looking for Martin’s replacement. Rather, they want a test rider who can strengthen the project in the future.