Marco Bezzecchi
Jorge Martin says he will not even “think” about the 2026 MotoGP riders’ title yet, as his “goal” is currently to fight his Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi to win each race.
Martin has emerged as a surprise contender for the title this term, having seemingly put his injury problems in the past after his year from hell after joining Aprilia in 2025. The 28-year-old did not offer any defence of his 2024 title, as he only entered eight out of the 22 rounds.
The Spaniard further only started seven of the 22 Grands Prix held last year, after suffering fractures to his right hand, left foot, left hand, collarbone and 11 ribs. Also, Martin sustained a hemopneumothorax in the 2025 Qatar GP that left him fearing for his life while in hospital.
Further surgeries over the winter to resolve ongoing issues with his collarbone and left hand appeared to put Martin on the back foot entering 2026, as well, as he had to miss testing in Sepang. But Martin is only four points from Bezzecchi atop the standings after three rounds.
Can Marco Bezzecchi overcome Jorge Martin at Aprilia in the MotoGP title race this season?
Jorge Martin wants to focus on race wins rather than the title until the end of 2026
Aprilia have also seen Martin secure his first podiums aboard the RS-GP, after his P2 finishes in Brazil and the United States. Also, Martin won the Sprint at COTA for his first victory as an Aprilia star, but Bezzecchi leads the standings as he won the three Grands Prix staged so far.
READ MORE: The worst MotoGP title defences in history, as Jorge Martin sets a new record
Given his year from hell last season, Martin refuses to consider fighting for the 2026 title as his main goal for now. Instead, he wants to focus on fighting for every race win, and only at the end of the 2026 MotoGP season does the Madrid native want to look at the title fight.
Martin said, via quotes by MARCA: “I won’t think about the world championship until the end of the year, but it’s clear that Aprilia have taken a big step forward.
“We’re fighting for every race. That’s the goal. Fighting for a world championship is a much bigger deal, and it will be very difficult. But we have started off on the right foot, and it is important to maintain this level.”
CEO Massimo Rivola has confirmed that Aprilia will give Bezzecchi and Martin a fair chance to win the 2026 MotoGP title, despite the widely held belief that the latter is leaving at the end of the year. It is widely thought that Yamaha are set to sign Martin for the 2027 season.
It is even now claimed that Aprilia privately hope that Bezzecchi wins the 2026 MotoGP title instead of Martin, as the latter is expected to leave at the end of his contract. Aprilia do not want Martin joining Yamaha as the riders’ champion like when he joined them from Pramac.
Martin took the No1 plate with him when he left Pramac for Aprilia in 2025, having won the 2024 title in his final act for Pramac. The Madrid native agreed to move to Noale after losing out on a promotion from Pramac to the factory Ducati squad, who favoured Marc Marquez.
Receive racing news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
