Marco Bezzecchi
Jorge Martin sent the MotoGP rider market into overdrive by using an exit clause in his contract to leave Aprilia, yet his terms might not be the only deal that is now torn up.
Talks are now taking place up and down the paddock to shape the grid for the 2026 MotoGP season, with Martin a key piece of the puzzle. Aprilia are desperate to retain the 27-year-old next year, despite his confirmed desire to go, so are fighting off interest from Honda in him.
Martin has agreed to the terms of a contract with Honda, who are ready to formalise a deal once the Spaniard is officially on the market. Aprilia do not think Martin’s exit clause is valid, given the defending riders’ champion has only contested one round this year due to injuries.
The Noale team could try and break another rider’s contract if the Madrid native does leave, though. A chance for Aprilia to replace Martin with Francesco Bagnaia has materialised amid questions about the Italian’s future for Ducati. And more pieces of the puzzle could fall soon.
Carlo Pernat ‘understands’ Yamaha could void Alex Rins’ contract for the 2026 MotoGP season
Iconic MotoGP rider agent Carlo Pernat ‘understands’ that Alex Rins could see Yamaha scrap the final year of his contract. The 29-year-old signed a new two-year deal last August, which sees Rins earn £1.8m a year at Yamaha, but he has struggled for results once again this year.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Alex Rins from net worth to career stats
Pernat even thinks the doubts that now surround Rins’ future with Yamaha might also open a door at the Iwata outfit for Enea Bastianini. He knows the 27-year-old could force his way out of Tech3 at the end of 2025, having been Bastianini’s agent when KTM signed him last June.
Pernat told MOW: “I know Enea’s contract with KTM well. I was his manager when he signed it, so I’m sure there’s no shortage of clauses and lockpicks to get out of the agreement. And something will probably happen in KTM…
“If Tech3 were to become a Honda team, then it could also be okay for Enea to stay there. Otherwise, some doors could open for Enea in Yamaha, too, because I understand that Alex Rins could leave at the end of the season despite his contract.”
Yamaha could send Alex Rins into retirement by releasing the Spaniard from his contract
Bajaj Auto has bailed KTM out but is open to selling Tech3, which could raise question marks about Bastianini and Maverick Vinales’ futures there. Guenther Steiner is in talks with Ducati about supplying Tech3’s bikes, though, with the F1 cult hero due to replace Herve Poncharal.
Another solution is also on the cards for 2026, and it is even possible that Martin could join Tech3 if they leave KTM for Honda. Martin leaving Aprilia for Tech3 might also increase the possibility that Bastianini replaces Rins at Yamaha, despite both holding contracts for 2026.
Rins is at least forcing Yamaha to consider his position next to Fabio Quartararo at the Iwata squad given his lack of results this season. The six-time MotoGP Grand Prix winner has only scored 26 points so far this term ahead of the Aragon GP, while Quartararo now boasts 59.
Yamaha would also see an even greater split between the teammates if not for Quartararo retiring in the lead of the British GP. The Frenchman’s rear ride height device became stuck on at Silverstone, where Quartararo had also taken his third pole position in as many races.
Rins only secured P13 at Silverstone and has not achieved any top-10 Grand Prix results this season. Neil Hodgson suspects Rins is nearing retirement from MotoGP, as well, having also endured yet further injuries this term whilst still recovering from his broken leg from 2023.
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