Aprilia now want to leave Jorge Martin with ‘no choice’ but to accept one thing amid his bid to join Honda

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Jorge Martin informed Aprilia back at the French Grand Prix at Le Mans that he had elected to use an exit clause in his contract, with a move to Honda in 2026 possible.

The 27-year-old only joined the Noale squad ahead of the 2025 MotoGP season after Aprilia gave Martin a £7m, two-year contract. He agreed to sign with the Italian factory after Ducati chose to snub the Spaniard in favour of signing Marc Marquez to partner Francesco Bagnaia.

Aprilia thought they had their new captain after signing the would-be 2024 riders’ champion in Martin. Yet he saw enough while on the sidelines amid an injury-plagued start to the term to try to get out of his deal after 2025 and Martin has agreed to a contract for Honda since.

Aprilia want to leave Jorge Martin with ‘no choice’ but to stay in 2026 over joining Honda

Martin has confirmed his desire to leave Aprilia, having taken up a clause in his contract with Aprilia that negated the second year of his deal if the Madrid native was not in the top three in the standings after the French GP. After his injuries, Martin does not have a point in 2025.

But as Aprilia do not believe Martin’s exit clause is valid due to his injuries keeping him from eight of the opening nine rounds, AS now reports that the Noale crew are trying to delay his exit as long as possible so that he has ‘no choice’ but to stay put in 2026 over joining Honda.

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

Martin is prepared to face the reality that Aprilia might force him to stay with the team next year, despite confirming his desire to leave. He is also prepared for the saga to side with him and join Honda. But, given Aprilia’s delay tactics, Martin is focused on his return from injury.

Jorge Martin is working towards returning from injury at the Czech Grand Prix at Brno

Aprilia saw Martin make his competitive debut on the RS-GP at the Qatar Grand Prix in April. But the eight-time premier class race winner crashed on Lap 13 of 22 and was hit by Fabio Di Giannantonio of VR46, with Martin suffering 11 broken ribs and also a hemopneumothorax.

AS now notes that Martin is aiming to return from injury at the Czech Grand Prix on July 18-20 as the Brno circuit is less physically demanding than the Sachsenring for the German GP on July 11-13. Martin also plans to test on Aprilia’s bike likely at Misano before the Czech GP.

But Martin’s return from injury will, no doubt, also be met with questions about the 20-time polesitter’s future with Aprilia and possible move to Honda for 2026. He is thought to have a deal in place, yet Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta does not want Martin to join Honda in 2026.