Marco Bezzecchi
Jorge Martin’s return to MotoGP has got even harder as he will have to serve a double long-lap penalty at the Grand Prix of Valencia.
The Aprilia rider has been sidelined on three occasions in 2025, having been ravaged by crashes and injuries. He will make his comeback this weekend in Valencia to take part in the final race of the season and the post-season test.
Martin has only participated in seven race weekends in 2025, starting six of them and finishing in four. He missed the first three races of the season after a crash in pre-season testing, before a horror accident in Qatar ruled him out until the Czech GP.
Martin was worried he would never ride a bike again following his injuries. The Spaniard persevered and got himself back on the RS-GP25, only to end up on the sidelines again after fracturing his collarbone at Motegi.
MotoGP fans feel bad for Jorge Martin as he gets hit with double long-lap penalty at Valencia
The 27-year-old crashed with Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi in the Sprint race in Japan. Martin was left in tears as he apologised to the Italian for taking him out of the race.
With the Spaniard being sidelined since then, the FIM have withheld his punishment until his return. Now that he is back for Valencia, he has been hit with a double long-lap penalty for the Grand Prix.
Reacting to the news on X (formerly Twitter), many MotoGP fans were left feeling bad for the Aprilia rider, having only just come back from injury: “I get it, but way to kick a man when he’s down!” wrote one user.
“It’s definitely deserved but goddamn,” added one fan. Another said: “Just got back and it’s already penalty time, damn.”
“What a comeback,” one sarcastic fan wrote. Another jokingly wondered if Martin would bother returning at all: “And that’s the sound of Jorge Martin declaring himself unfit for the Valencia GP.”
“Imagine returning to the grid after injury/being replaced by other riders for the next season and receiving a penalty,” said another user.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Jorge Martin from net worth to girlfriend
Is the Valencia Grand Prix too soon for Jorge Martin to return?
There were major doubts as to whether Martin would return to action in 2025 after his latest setback. Following so many serious injuries, many wondered if he would wait until 2026.
However, Martin is determined to close out his 2025 season on a high note in Valencia, in what will be his final race with the No.1 plate on his bike. But multiple people are worried about the Spaniard rushing back when he does not necessarily need to.
Fans told Martin to copy Marc Marquez and continue resting until the 2026 season. Marquez hopes to return to action for the Sepang test next year after suffering ligament damage to his collarbone in a crash with Bezzecchi at Mandalika.
Martin’s double long-lap penalty will make his return in Valencia much more difficult, as he is likely to be running towards the back all weekend. Another crash could be damaging, especially with 2026 tipped to be an exciting year for Aprilia.
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