Marco Bezzecchi
Jorge Martin failed to get out of his contract with Aprilia and join Honda for 2026, but Neil Hodgson still questions the Spaniard’s long-term future riding for the Noale crew.
Aprilia only welcomed Martin to Noale ahead of the 2025 MotoGP season on an initial two-year contract. But breaking 11 ribs and suffering a hemopneumothorax during the Qatar GP this April then left the 27-year-old reconsidering his future and exploring a switch to Honda.
Martin questioned if he would ever ride a MotoGP bike again after the injuries he sustained, which brought a bigger picture than being competitive riding the Aprilia RS-GP25 into focus. But Martin agreed to stay at Aprilia after accepting his injuries invalidated his release clause.
The 2024 champion, who made history last year by becoming the first rider to win a title for an independent team in the MotoGP era with Pramac, has since only made steady progress learning Aprilia’s bike. Martin has so far scored 34 points and his average finish is only P8.5.
Neil Hodgson suspects Jorge Martin will look to leave Aprilia if he starts 2026 “poorly”
Another injury has even sidelined Martin once again, with the Madrid native having to miss at least the Indonesian and Australian Grands Prix. He underwent surgery after breaking his right collarbone in the Sprint in Japan, taking his number of races missed this year to 12/18.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Jorge Martin from net worth to girlfriend
Martin missing so many races through injury, having even started the year by sitting out the first three rounds with a fractured left hand, has given Hodgson the feeling that the Aprilia rider is now in a “fight for his future” and will likely look to leave if he starts 2026 “poorly”.
Hodgson has told TNT Sports: “Jorge Martin, the key question is if he is fit. He has lost a full season’s development, which has favoured [Marco] Bezzecchi. He needs a good end to this year, so let’s hope he can ride in Malaysia and finish strong in Europe and test well.
“What a difference a year makes in racing. That is the tough nature of motorcycle racing, and now he has got a fight for his future. I think there is nowhere for him to go now, because all the seats are sorted for next year.
“What could happen is if he starts poorly next year, he will be looking where to go next with his management. Negotiations will start early if things are not looking good, and I suspect he will want to get back on a Ducati.”
Jorge Martin failed to join Honda for 2026, but he could have even more options for 2027
Joining Aprilia made the 2025 MotoGP season Martin’s first year in the premier class aboard a bike that is not a Ducati. He raced on satellite Ducatis every term from 2021 to 2024 while at Pramac and he won the 2024 title aboard a GP24 against factory rider Francesco Bagnaia.
But an injury-hit start to 2025 saw Martin agree on a deal to join Honda from 2026, yet it did not materialise as Aprilia refused to accept the release clause in his contract. Now, Hodgson suspects Martin may try to get back on a Ducati for MotoGP’s regulations overhaul in 2027.
While seats on the 2026 grid are now all but confirmed, the rider market might explode next year as only Johann Zarco and Toprak Razgatlioglu have deals for 2027. So, if Martin fails to start 2026 on a better path, Hodgson might not wait long to see his suspicions come true.
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