Aprilia feel Jorge Martin is not telling the truth about his decision to leave for 2026

Add as preferred source on Google

Aprilia and Jorge Martin remain in conflict as the two parties try to decide how to move forward after the 2024 MotoGP champion announced his decision to leave in 2026.

Despite only competing in one race in 2025 due to injury, Martin is seeking a way out of Aprilia through an exit clause in his contract. It allows him to leave if he is not in a competitive position after the first six races.

The Spaniard has crashed every time he has ridden the RS-GP and is unsatisfied with the bike’s current state. But Marco Bezzecchi’s win at Silverstone sent a clear message to Martin, says Massimo Rivola, as it proved the machine has some performance.

The situation is set to rumble on throughout the season, with neither side backing down in recent statements. Despite confirming his desire to leave, Martin has offered to extend his trial period for another six races, giving Aprilia more time to prove themselves from when he returns.

However, Aprilia are refusing to change Martin’s contract as they believe the exit clause is invalid due to his injuries. The Noale outfit are not acknowledging the clause at all, and they think their star rider is not being truthful about his reasons for leaving.

Aprilia feel Jorge Martin is using his exit clause as an ‘excuse’ to join another manufacturer

Aprilia say economic reasons are not a factor in Martin’s decision to leave in 2026. Honda are preparing a three-year deal for the Spaniard, which could double his Aprilia salary.

Martin’s injuries are ‘not specified’ in the exit clause, which, in theory, gives him the right to seek an early transfer. But journalist Neil Morrison says Aprilia feel the 27-year-old is using the clause as an ‘excuse’ to join another manufacturer.

“I think from Aprilia’s point of view, they believe that, before this whole discussion about the clause and whether it was right to extend this kind of stay of execution, let’s say, to allow Martin to decide whether he continues, or whether he confirms for 2026,” he said via the Paddock Pass Podcast.

“I think Aprilia may be of the opinion that this was decided before then, that Martin wanted out, and this was being used potentially as just an excuse for him to try to find a way to a different manufacturer.

“It’s a really difficult one.”

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

Jorge Martin has now burned bridges with three MotoGP manufacturers

Aprilia fans chanted for Martin to stay at the manufacturer’s All Stars event at Misano last week, which he was contractually obliged to attend. But it does seem likely that the relationship between the two parties is severely damaged.

This is nothing new for the 27-year-old. Martin broke his contract with KTM before stepping up to MotoGP, allowing him to make his debut with Pramac Ducati.

When the factory Ducati team signed Marc Marquez over him for 2025, the Spaniard left the manufacturer out of spite, quickly signing a deal with Aprilia. With his current situation with the Noale outfit, Martin has burned bridges with three of the five manufacturers.

Marquez hopes Martin will recover soon and return to the grid when he was asked to comment on the matter. The 32-year-old says he will have his reasons for leaving, just as he did when he departed Honda for Gresini in 2024.