Marc Marquez must thank Jorge Martin for vital MotoGP rule change after season-ending injury

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Marc Marquez won’t ride a MotoGP bike again in 2025, Ducati confirmed on Thursday. That means Marquez will miss not only the year’s three remaining races but also the Valencia test.

While Ducati had already ruled out the world champion for Malaysia, they were hopeful that he could return for the post-season test, allowing him to trial an early version of the 2026 bike.

Marquez required unexpected surgery after injuring ligaments in his shoulder and breaking his collarbone in a first lap incident with Marco Bezzecchi at the Indonesian GP.

The Spaniard is now targeting an official comeback at the Malaysia test in February. But he could be back on a MotoGP bike before that point.

Marc Marquez will be allowed additional MotoGP test thanks to Jorge Martin and Aprilia

MotoGP’s last two world champions have both had significant injuries in 2025. Jorge Martin’s issues have been far more extensive, with a crash in Japan sidelining him for the fourth time in eight months.

But before Martin returned from his severe Qatar injuries (11 broken ribs and a collapsed lung), he was allowed an additional test. This single-day outing took place at Misano in the lead-up to the Czech GP.

Testing is strictly limited by the concessions system, but Aprilia and Martin successfully pushed for a rule change offering a conditional exemption for injured riders. Now, they can ascertain whether they’re truly MotoGP-ready before they return from an extended absence.

Riders who have missed three or more consecutive events or 45 consecutive days will be eligible. Marquez will qualify under both those criteria.

Thanks to Martin, the Ducati rider will be ‘entitled to an extra day of testing’ before the 2026 season begins. It’s ‘most likely’ that this will coincide with the Sepang shakedown, which takes place ahead of the official pre-season test at the same venue.

Marc Marquez was supportive of extra test for injured riders

The main concern for Marquez right now, given that he’s already sealed the championship, is that he won’t be able to guide Ducati’s 2026 bike development. In that regard, an additional day of running on the GP26 a month before the season opener in Thailand is particularly precious.

Speaking back in March when the rule change was first debated, Marquez expressed support for the idea. It could help him get back to ‘race pace’, although he is regrettably the most experienced rider on the grid when it comes to the recovery process.

“When I came back from my injury, this rule didn’t exist,” he said, via Motorsport Espana. “Maybe we could consider allowing a test for someone who has been out for two months. But only for one day – two would be too much.

“For a rider, it’s important to know if they’re fit to ride a MotoGP bike, but the difference between one day and two is minimal when you’re still injured. To regain race pace, you need more time on track.”

Michele Pirro will continue on the Desmosedici this weekend after Nicolo Bulega turned down the chance to replace Marquez. Bulega is still an option for the last two races.