Jorge Martin responds after Massimo Rivola said he didn’t ride like a world champion in Hungary

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Jorge Martin has finally responded to Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola’s strong criticism after the Hungarian GP.

Martin faces a double long-lap penalty for this weekend’s Czech Grand Prix after being deemed responsible for a multi-bike crash at the start of Balaton Park.

After losing control of his Aprilia motorcycle, he took out teammate Marco Bezzecchi, fellow RS-GP rider Raul Fernandez and Gresini’s Fermin Aldeguer at turn one.

Jorge Martin: It’s easier for riders to understand my mistake

Martin’s blunder may well have changed the complexion of the 2026 MotoGP season. Marc Marquez went on to win the race, gaining 25 points on the Aprilia duo and surging back into title contention.

What’s more, his Brno penalty almost certainly removes him from contention for victory on Sunday, in another boost to Marquez.

Rivola said it was a ‘mistake a world champion shouldn’t make’, a remark that has split opinion among experts. Martin was asked for his reaction in the Czechia press room.

He hinted that Rivola didn’t fully ‘understand’ the situation because of his lack of riding experience.

“What Rivola says is his opinion,” he said, via German Garcia Casanova. “I’ve spoken with Bezzecchi, and he was the first one to understand what happened – among riders, it’s easier to get it.”

How would Jorge Martin’s MotoGP career have gone if he had joined Ducati?

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Martin is leaving Aprilia to join Yamaha at the end of the season but he knows it’s important to preserve his relationship with the team in the meantime as he pursues a second premier-class title.

“Taking on Aprilia would be like shooting myself in the foot,” he said.

MotoGP legend Jorge Lorenzo was critical of Rivola, suggesting Ducati’s bosses would never have spoken about their riders in that manner.

According to Simon Patterson, Rivola ‘calmed down’ once he had time to properly analyse the incident between his TV duties and his conversation with the written press.