Jorge Lorenzo has just pointed Aprilia towards the perfect Jorge Martin replacement

Add as preferred source on Google

Aprilia are preparing to lose Jorge Martin as the 2024 MotoGP champion seeks a way out of his contract.

Martin activated an exit clause in his deal that allows him to leave early if he is not in a competitive position after six races in 2025. Jorge Lorenzo claims Martin only wanted a one-year contract, but Aprilia insisted on two years, with a get-out clause.

This has come back to bite the Noale outfit as they are now faced with the prospect of losing their star rider. Aprilia say the clause is invalid as Martin has barely ridden the RS-GP25 due to serious injuries.

But the Spaniard’s manager Albert Valera says the clause is ‘clear-cut’ in the contract, with the matter set to end up in court. Martin and Aprilia are engaged in compensation talks, with the rider looking to get out as soon as possible and finalise a deal with Honda.

With the 27-year-old likely to be racing elsewhere in 2026, Aprilia have been linked with several names as possible replacements. Lorenzo has pointed out one rider in particular who he thinks would be a perfect fit.

Jorge Lorenzo points towards Enea Bastianini as the perfect replacement for Jorge Martin

There were rumours that Aprilia could promote from within, but Davide Brivio stressed Ai Ogura will ride for Trackhouse in 2026 due to his contract.

The Noale outfit could look to Moto2 for Martin’s replacement, with British rider Jake Dixon being one name mentioned. Aprilia could also sign Manu Gonzalez, having recently impressed for Trackhouse in a test at Aragon.

Enea Bastianini has been linked with Aprilia as he struggles to find performance at KTM Tech3. Speaking via GPOne, Lorenzo says the Italian would be great to replace Martin, if they can ‘guarantee’ that he will have a bike he is comfortable with.

“Bastianini is a rider who already has experience in MotoGP, he’s won races and he’s scored a lot of podiums and he’s also already getting pretty close to fighting to win some world championships.

“So, you have the guarantee that if you give him a bike that he likes he can go fast. A Moto2 rider on the other hand is maybe younger, but he still has to prove himself.

“Should they not continue with Martin they will surely have alternatives, like Bastianini or some Moto2 rider, but for me it is more likely that in the end Aprilia and Martin will get along well together even by force and finish at least his current contract.”

READ MORE: Everything to know about Enea Bastianini from net worth to career stats

Enea Bastianini is trying to get out of his KTM Tech3 contract

Bastianini’s experience will be valuable to Aprilia if they do sign him for 2026. The 27-year-old is a proven race winner, with seven wins and 18 podiums.

Since leaving Ducati in 2024, the Italian has had a tough time getting to grips with his RC16 at Tech3. He is the lowest-ranked KTM rider as he sits 15th in the standings with 42 points.

His woes have been so poor that Bastianini would gladly leave Tech3, despite signing a two-year factory contract. He could quickly become a top talent on the MotoGP rider market, which Aprilia could exploit if they lose Martin.

But they could face competition from rival manufacturers. Yamaha are interested in Bastianini as they search for Toprak Razgatlioglu’s teammate at Pramac for 2026.