Marco Bezzecchi
Jorge Martin is preparing for what he hopes will be his first full season as an Aprilia rider in 2026. His first year with the Noale factory was decimated by injury.
Martin only appeared at seven out of 22 rounds due to four significant injuries, one of which left him fearing for his life. After returning to action at the finale in Valencia, he’s optimistic of being fully fit for Thailand.
Speaking at the Aprilia team launch this week, Martin wouldn’t be drawn on his future beyond this year. He notably tried to leave only months after his arrival through a disputed exit clause in his contract, but no agreement was reached.
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Intriguingly, Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola believes Honda and Yamaha are trying to sign his riders. Martin was lining up the former as his destination last year.
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Yamaha’s interest in Martin could open up the possibility of a return to Pramac, where he won the world championship in 2024. The Spaniard was the first rider to deliver the title for an independent team in the MotoGP era.
The current line-up of Toprak Razgatlioglu and Jack Miller may not last long. Razgatlioglu could join the Yamaha factory team if Fabio Quartararo leaves, and Miller is under pressure after his early promise faded in 2025.
Speaking to GPOne, team manager Gino Borsoi made clear that Martin would be ‘welcome’ back at Pramac.
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“It would be a great team, just like Toprak-Miller,” Borsoi said of a potential Razgatlioglu/Martin pairing. “In the end, a competitive career is short, but the most important thing is to feel good in a team.
“If he wants to return to his family, we’re here, ready to welcome him with open arms.”
The same outlet have subsequently reported that Borsoi’s offer is ‘tangible and real’. By making the comments in the media, he played his first ‘card’.
Jorge Martin’s value has dropped ‘enormously’
Martin signed a £3.5m-per-year contract at Aprilia on the back of his 2024 title win. But journalist David Emmett thinks he could be available for a much lower price in this contract cycle.
He ended up finishing 21st in last year’s championship, and while the explanation for that lowly position was obvious, it has still damaged his stock.
“Aprilia bought Martin at the top of his market value,” Emmett explained on the Paddock Pass podcast. “His market value, because of everything that’s happened, will have dropped off enormously. I think he’s going to be available for a lot less money.”
Instinctively, Martin may prefer to join a factory team if he leaves Aprilia – he made the move in the first place because Ducati wouldn’t offer such a promotion – but his emotional connection to Pramac will be a factor, particularly after his 2025 ordeal.
Yamaha say Paolo Campinoti’s squad is an extension of their operation, rather than a subordinate.
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