Marco Bezzecchi
Jorge Martin is back on a MotoGP bike at the Czech Grand Prix, having missed the majority of the 2025 season through injury.
Martin ‘almost cried’ during his press conference on his return to the MotoGP paddock. The Aprilia rider was subject to several intense questions; his situation at the team has changed significantly in recent weeks.
The Spaniard had been pushing to leave the Noale outfit, announcing that he had activated an exit clause in his contract after Le Mans. He was unsatisfied with the progress of Aprilia and the RS-GP25, having crashed every time he had ridden the bike.
Honda were heavily linked with the defending MotoGP champion, but Aprilia stood their ground and refused to accept the clause. With the matter set to go to court and neither party able to reach a compromise, Martin surrendered and has confirmed he will stay for 2026.
Aprilia think they can beat Ducati next season, says Martin’s manager Albert Valera. It may be a key reason why the duo have backtracked their decision to leave, especially considering the progress they have seen from the RS-GP25.
Fabiano Sterlacchini lauds the ‘incredible’ lengths Aprilia have gone to improve Jorge Martin’s bike
In Martin’s absence, Aprilia have been working tirelessly to improve the bike, with Lorenzo Savadori providing valuable data as his replacement. It has led to Marco Bezzecchi claiming a win at Silverstone and challenging Marc Marquez for victory at Assen.
The improvements made have pleased Martin, who has reported positive feelings on the bike during private testing ahead of his return at the Czech Grand Prix. Speaking with GPOne, Fabiano Sterlacchini shared the ‘incredible job’ Aprilia have done to develop the RS-GP25.
“All motorsport projects must be developed in every area. If you’re weak in one area, it’s always a problem, so we focused on many areas.
“We worked on the engine as much as possible, because as you know, it’s frozen. Fluid dynamics, airbox, exhausts, aerodynamics, electronics. So many things.
“In my opinion, the two key moments were the tests after Jerez and Aragon. The guys back home have done an incredible job, because to get certain parts, there was a significant push and these things worked well; we’re starting to see significant results.”
READ MORE: Everything to know about Jorge Martin from net worth to girlfriend
Jorge Martin impressed on his return to MotoGP at the Czech Grand Prix, but there are still some concerns
Massimo Rivola expects Martin to take three races to get up to speed with teammate Bezzecchi. However, he proved to be on the pace straight away in Brno as he finished an impressive P5 in practice, less than two tenths off the pace of Bezzecchi.
But the Spaniard fell back on Saturday, qualifying in 12th, almost a second behind his teammate. Martin did not listen to Aprilia before his return, as he almost lost the bike in Q2; he was told to take caution.
The 27-year-old finished the Sprint in 11th in what was a commendable effort from the Aprilia rider. Martin was ‘really scared’ about his first session due to the damp patches on the track.
Martin’s father was seen putting his gloves on for him in the Aprilia garage. It shows that he is still feeling the effects of his scaphoid injury during the off-season; he will not want to suffer another major setback.
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