Jorge Martin reveals ‘the best’ advice he received from Marc Marquez about his MotoGP future

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Jorge Martin has missed 10 out of 11 MotoGP races this season through injury. He’ll be praying that his return at the Czech Grand Prix this weekend brings an end to his nightmare.

The last time one of the sport’s biggest stars suffered such a serious injury was 2020, when Marc Marquez – also the reigning world champion – broke his arm in Jerez. He was ruled out for the remainder of the year.

The next three seasons were disrupted for Marquez too – he raced 14 times in 2021, 12 times in 2022 and 15 in 2023. The Ant of Cervera was dealing with complications from his original clash, whereas Martin should now be fully recovered.

Marquez left Honda as he regained full fitness at the end of 2023. He’s now dominating the sport once again, though Martin will hope to present a sterner challenge.

Marc Marquez warned Jorge Martin not to make any decisions while he was injured

In his media briefing ahead of the Czech Grand Prix weekend, Martin was asked to share the best advice he received during his injury lay-off. He’s had three serious crashes this year, but as he revealed on Thursday, he feared for his life after puncturing a lung and breaking 11 ribs at April’s Qatar GP.

The four-month recovery process has clearly required immense physical and psychological strength – Martin nearly broke down in tears during his return press conference – but his fellow riders rallied around him.

Marquez told his fellow countryman not to make any decisions about his future while he was injured. He’d tried to activate a release clause in his Aprilia deal before the team effectively blocked his departure.

Martin is now committed to Aprilia for 2026, even if he agreed reluctantly. Marquez believes Martin can win races this year on an increasingly competitive bike.

“This is very difficult, but taking a look back, I can say Marc texted me – a lot of people texted me, but Marc was one of them – and I really have to say that I appreciated his message,” Martin said.

“He told me ‘don’t take any decision when you are injured, so now thinking back I can say maybe this was the best advice’.”

What Jorge Martin told his team just after Czech Grand Prix press conference ended

Marquez can’t understand why Martin attempted to leave without truly discovering the potential of his bike. He completed just 13 laps in pre-season testing and didn’t reach the chequered flag in Qatar.

But it may be that this disastrous start to his Aprilia career convinced him that he needed a fresh start. He was hoping to join Honda, who have won a race this year but are clearly behind the Italians in the pecking order.

As he left the press conference stage at Brno, Martin told his team he ‘almost cried’. One can only imagine the outpouring of emotion that will follow the next time he wins a race.

Marco Bezzecchi was triumphant at Silverstone earlier this year, and he was on course for four podiums in a row before crashing out of the German GP from second last weekend.