Marco Bezzecchi explains how Jorge Martin’s absences damaged ‘the whole environment’ at Aprilia

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Jorge Martin has missed the majority of the 2025 MotoGP campaign through injury, and Marco Bezzecchi has explained how his absence has hurt Aprilia’s development.

In total, the reigning world champion has missed 13 of the 20 Grand Prix weekends to be held so far this season due to three separate incidents that have seen him hospitalised.

Ruled out for the upcoming race weekend in Portugal, Martin has been tipped to make a return at Valencia, coinciding with the final round of the season.

However, MotoGP’s official physician, Dr Angel Charte, has expressed his doubts about the Spaniard’s readiness to return to action so soon after sustaining a broken collarbone.

Martin is adamant about getting as much race experience as possible on an Aprilia bike after joining the factory outfit ahead of the current term. His 2026 title hopes may also suffer due to his lack of mileage.

READ MORE: Aleix Espargaro has just told Jorge Martin the biggest reason he can win the 2026 title with Aprilia

Marco Bezzecchi highlights how Aprilia have suffered from the absence of Jorge Martin in 2025

Bezzecchi has been leading the charge for the Italian constructor in Martin’s absence, and has shown exactly what Aprilia machinery is capable of in recent performances.

The Italian emerged as a consistent contender at the front of the pack during the second half of the season, adding three pole positions and three Sprint race wins to his 2025 tally upon MotoGP’s return from the summer break.

However, in a recent interview with Moto.it, Bezzecchi explained how these results may have come sooner if his feedback was supplemented with that of the 2024 world champion.

Asked if he thought Martin’s initial injury in pre-season testing was a problem for him, Bezzecchi replied, “No, I never thought it was a problem for me, obviously, for him, yes. I felt sorry, because it was something that, I think, affected our whole environment a bit, the entire team.

“And rightly so, because, starting from Massimo [Rivola], then Fabiano [Sterlacchini], all the engineers, all the guys working there, they knew they could count on two factory riders, plus the two Trackhouse riders who still get factory treatment.

“The goal was to gather as much information as possible to do a good job. Not that they aren’t doing that, of course, but you know, after that, things had to change a bit.

“Personally, I just tried to keep my head in the game, stay focused on my own work, and do everything I could to do my job as best as possible.”

READ MORE: Marco Bezzecchi responds when asked if he’s the ‘strongest rider’ on the grid with Marc Marquez out

Marco Bezzecchi is in battle with Francesco Bagnaia for third place in the MotoGP standings

Currently leading Francesco Bagnaia by five points in the race for third place in the riders’ standings, Bezzecchi could make a statement by withstanding the pressure that his fellow Italian may throw at him in the final two rounds of the season.

With Ducati dominating the grid in recent years, Aprilia look like the best-placed team to have a genuine shot at dethroning the Borgo Panigale-based squad following their six-year chokehold over the constructors’ championship.

Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola thinks Bezzecchi can usurp Marc Marquez in the title fight next season, citing how no one else on the grid can pull off overtaking manoeuvres like his Italian rider can.

It remains to be seen how much of a step up Ducati can make with their GP26 next season, but Aprilia will be waiting in the shadows of their jet black livery to take the advantage where they can.