Aprilia have now said something ‘highly unusual’ about Jorge Martin amid MotoGP ‘saga’

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Jorge Martin’s ongoing MotoGP injury has somewhat fallen under the radar amid his contract dispute with Aprilia. The reigning world champion has only competed in one race this season.

Of course, the two issues are linked. Aprilia feel that Martin’s release clause is invalid because he’s been absent for nine out of 10 Grands Prix.

The Spaniard informed his new team that he was triggering the clause in the spring. Inevitably bottom of the championship, he fell a long way short of the performance benchmark in his deal.

Martin asked Aprilia to renegotiate his contract with a revised clause. That would allow him to assess the motorcycle when fully fit, but the team have refused because they’re determined to see the initial two-year agreement honoured.

Mat Oxley stunned that Jorge Martin isn’t yet ready to return

Aprilia announced on Monday that Martin would miss the Grand Prix of Germany on 13 July. MotoGP doctor Angel Charte says that the 11 broken ribs he sustained in Qatar still need another two weeks to fully heal.

Likewise, he hasn’t completely recovered from the scaphoid fracture he sustained in February. Martin was warned this process could take a ‘very long time’ after the supermoto crash.

There will be a further examination early next week, the statement adds. After a change to the rules, Martin will be able to test Aprilia’s bike before he decides whether to return, with the Czech GP on 20 July now his natural target.

Former motorcycle racer Mat Oxley, an Isle of Man TT winner, says it’s ‘highly unusual’ for a rider not to be fit 10 weeks after an accident. It has now been 79 days since he was hospitalised in Qatar.

“This whole saga is so strange,” Oxley said on his X account.

Is Jorge Martin trying to join Honda for the wrong reason?

Aprilia picked up another impressive result at the Dutch Grand Prix last weekend. Marco Bezzecchi delivered their second podium of the year by finishing P2.

This was testament to Aprilia’s ‘special’ aero package, in the words of Neil Hodgson. They’re now up to second in the constructors’ despite fielding a test rider in Lorenzo Savadori for almost the entire season.

Meanwhile, the Honda factory team are sitting second from bottom in the teams’ standings. Johann Zarco was their lead rider in 12th.

Some MotoGP insiders believe Martin wants to join Honda for the money. While he’s earned the payday, it could be argued that Aprilia offer the better sporting prospects, at least in 2026.