Marco Bezzecchi
Jorge Martin was injured in a collision with Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi at the Japanese Grand Prix. Martin’s misjudgement at the first corner took both riders out of the Sprint.
Neil Hodgson called Martin’s riding ‘silly’, and he suffered the brunt of the consequences. While Bezzecchi will be able to race despite his bruises, last year’s world champion is facing surgery.
The operation, scheduled to take place back in Europe next week, will be Martin’s fourth since February. It’s unclear at this stage how long he’ll need to recover.
After taking the circuit helicopter to a nearby hospital for scans, Martin returned to the circuit later on Saturday. And Motorsport Espana kept abreast of his movements.
Jorge Martin kept checking if Marco Bezzecchi was okay after Motegi crash
With his arm in a sling, Martin walked towards his personal quarters with girlfriend Maria Monfort, Aprilia communications director Antonio Boselli and another member of his entourage. On the way, he ‘burst into tears’ as he hugged his partner.
Massimo Rivola soon arrived and could be seen comforting his superstar rider. Martin’s title defence, which also included a failed attempt to leave Aprilia, has been disastrous.
Bezzecchi was the next to enter the room, where an Aprilia team member showed them footage of the turn-one incident on his phone. The meeting only lasted around four minutes, and the two riders shook hands afterwards.
Boselli told the publication that Martin kept checking on Bezzecchi’s condition. He’d requested that the Italian visit him so that he could apologise.
Marc Marquez’s message to Jorge Martin after latest injury
Marc Marquez, who’s about to unseat Martin as the MotoGP champion, has expressed support after each of his compatriot’s setbacks this year. He said it was ‘terrible’ to see him injured again.
Marquez thinks Martin will benefit from the opportunity to reset during a ‘quiet winter’. Aprilia are hopeful of mounting a title challenge, but their big signing hasn’t had the opportunity to become truly comfortable on the bike.
“No one has to tell me what Jorge is going through,” said Marquez. “I feel terrible. What he needs to do now is have surgery, recover, get back to racing, have a quiet winter, and then next year, be back to what he was.”
Pramac’s Paolo Campinoti thinks Martin can challenge Marquez when fully fit. His best finish this year from 12 starts is fourth at the Hungarian GP.
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