What Jorge Martin was secretly seen doing in the MotoGP paddock at the French Grand Prix

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Aprilia have been without star rider Jorge Martin for most of the 2025 season. The 2024 champion has been plagued by injury all year.

Martin missed all of pre-season and the opening three rounds of 2025 after suffering a highside in testing in Malaysia. He sustained more fractures to his hands and feet in a motocross crash during his recovery.

The Spaniard returned to MotoGP at the Grand Prix of Qatar, only for Martin to suffer 11 fractured ribs and a punctured lung in a terrifying accident with Fabio Di Giannantonio. The severity of his injuries prevented him from flying home on a commercial flight.

Now discharged from hospital, Martin can begin his rehabilitation back home in Spain. Several MotoGP riders sent heartwarming messages to Martin at Jerez, wishing him a speedy recovery.

In his absence, Aprilia have been struggling. The manufacturer are bottom of the standings ahead of the Grand Prix of France, with Marco Bezzecchi not performing as expected and Lorenzo Savadori well off the pace as Martin’s replacement.

Aprilia are in desperate need of improvement, with confidence certainly at an all-time low. They would have been boosted by an unexpected visit in the paddock at Le Mans.

Jorge Martin visited Aprilia in the paddock at the French Grand Prix

According to a report from AS, Martin made an appearance at the French GP as he came to visit his team ahead of the race on Sunday.

Martin also visited Aprilia in Austin ahead of his comeback to the grid in Qatar. The Spaniard had planned to keep his appearance a secret, but it was quickly uncovered by the media.

At Le Mans, the 27-year-old made a ‘lightning visit’ to Aprilia ‘to boost the morale of the troops’ ahead of the Sprint race. Bezzecchi and Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez made it to Q2, qualifying P7 and P10 respectively.

Martin wanted his visit to the paddock to be brief, keeping it completely under wraps from the media. Subsequently, he avoided ‘questions about his health’ and when he is expected to return.

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

Jorge Martin will hugely benefit from MotoGP rule change for injured riders

Aprilia will want to bide their time with their star rider’s recovery, even if they are desperately missing him on the RS-GP25. Neil Hodgson predicts a two-month absence for Martin, having had similar injuries during his career.

The Spaniard has little to no knowledge of the bike, hence why Aprilia have been pushing to get Martin a test during the season. MotoGP recently changed the rules to allow injured riders to run private tests if they have missed up to three races.

This will be hugely beneficial for the defending champion. Martin could have a very different bike on his return as Aprilia study ways to improve the machine.

It is therefore critical for Martin to have the testing and get a good feeling of the bike. His championship aspirations are all but over in 2025, so he can now focus his attention on getting used to the team and looking ahead to 2026.