Jorge Martin once told his team he’d rather ‘test positive for Covid’ than compete in one MotoGP race

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Jorge Martin is currently fighting to return from a second devastating injury of the 2025 MotoGP season.

The reigning champion suffered a big crash at the Grand Prix of Qatar and was hit by Fabio Di Giannantonio on the way through, causing 11 broken ribs and a pneumothorax.

Eight of those ribs are repaired already, and Martin is making good progress now that he has travelled back home to Spain via some special assistance.

It’s a nightmare for Aprilia, who had high hopes of a great season when they signed the 27-year-old over the winter. The stars just haven’t aligned for them yet.

Martin received a heartfelt message from Aleix Espargaro and has been encouraged by his rivals to make a safe and speedy recovery.

In his absence, Neil Hodgson called Martin’s replacement a shame and wanted to see Aprilia sign a better substitute for the next few races. It could have a big impact on the standings.

READ MORE: Massimo Rivola vows to ‘fight’ for one MotoGP rule change after Jorge Martin crash

Jorge Martin once admitted he’d rather have Covid than race at the Portimao circuit

Just three events into his debut MotoGP season in 2021, Martin suffered a major shunt during practice for the Grand Prix of Portugal.

He would miss the next three races as a result of multiple fractures to his hand and one in his right ankle, just weeks after claiming a maiden podium.

At the end of the year, he had to return to the circuit for the penultimate round of the campaign. Having two races at the same track was a Covid-specific measure.

Speaking to Motorsport.com, he admitted to his team that he would have preferred to test positive for Covid-19 than race at Portimao again.

“Sincerely, after I knew we were coming back here – I think it was in the middle of the season, like three months ago – I told my team, ‘OK, I will test positive for COVID, so I will not race there!’,” he said.

“But, at the end of the day, I need to face this fear and face the problem I have here, and to just try to learn the track well, to be consistent for next year. We are coming back, so it is what it is and I’m ready for everything.”

READ MORE: Jorge Martin sends two-word message to MotoGP riders after heartwarming videos from the Spanish Grand Prix

How did Jorge Martin’s first big MotoGP injury affect him?

After sitting out for nearly two months, Martin’s return at the Catalan Grand Prix yielded a 14th place, which was an acceptable return.

Two weeks later in Germany he improved to 12th, and another few weeks after that, he managed to secure his first victory.

Ever since, he has been a staple of the top 10 and a regular on the podium. He would also have contributed a lot to improving the Aprilia bike.

Even though it looks like he enjoyed success after his comeback, it would have been a massive psychological hurdle for him to overcome. Confidence takes time to build.