Jorge Martin’s mother makes one request to MotoGP bosses ahead of Aprilia move

Jorge Martin’s switch to Aprilia has been marred by injuries, forcing him to miss the opening races of the season.

Jorge Martin of Spain and Aprilia Racing exits the box during the Malaysia MotoGP Test at Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on February 5, 2025. Photo by Mirco Lazzari/Getty Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Jorge Martin entered the 2025 MotoGP season with high expectations after securing his first premier-class championship in 2024. However, his title defense has suffered an early blow due to injuries, forcing him to miss the opening races. Now riding for Aprilia after his departure from Ducati, Martin faces a tough challenge in adapting to a new machine while trying to regain lost ground in the championship battle.

Martin’s 2025 campaign got off to a disastrous start during pre-season testing in Sepang. A highside crash on the first day left him with fractures in his right hand and left foot, ruling him out of the first two races. His return remains uncertain, with the Grand Prix of the Americas at the end of the month a potential third missed race.

Uncertain return timeline and impact on title race

Martin’s recovery timeline has been a major concern for Aprilia, as they look to close the gap to Ducati. There are hopes that he could return in Argentina to support the team, but Pramac’s Paolo Campinoti has suggested that a more realistic target is the Qatar Grand Prix. If that happens, Martin will have missed three races—an enormous setback in a highly competitive season.

His absence has already affected Aprilia’s early-season form, with Marco Bezzecchi taking on additional responsibilities in testing and development. While Bezzecchi has handled the pressure well, the team is eager to have Martin back on track to maximize their chances against Ducati.

A surprising 2024 championship battle

Martin’s rise to the top in 2024 was anything but conventional. Despite winning only three races compared to Francesco Bagnaia’s 11, he claimed the title thanks to greater consistency. Bagnaia’s mistake-prone campaign ultimately cost him a third consecutive championship, finishing just 10 points behind Martin.

As the reigning champion, Martin was granted the honor of running the prestigious number one on his bike in 2025. However, his injuries prevented him from taking his rightful place in the official front-row grid photo for the season.

His mother expressed disappointment over the situation, recalling how Martin’s father had once predicted that their son would be at the front of the picture one day.

“When Jorge first started, we always saw him at the back of the group,” she said. “But as he was advancing in that photo, I remember his father saying, ‘One day our son will be there in the front row.’

“And now it turns out that the picture was taken, and he’s not there. I hoped they [would] repeat it. It would be nice to have the photo where he has the deserved title of being first. That picture hurt me a little bit.”

Aprilia’s early promise and Ogura’s impressive debut

Despite Martin’s absence, Aprilia has shown glimpses of potential in 2025. Bezzecchi has taken on the leadership role within the team and managed the workload well in testing. While the Grand Prix of Thailand produced mixed results for Aprilia’s factory team, their satellite squad offered promising signs.

MotoGP rookie Ai Ogura delivered an eye-catching performance, challenging Bagnaia’s factory Ducati on debut and nearly securing a podium in the main race. His strong showing has fueled optimism about Aprilia’s competitiveness this season.

If Martin were fully fit and racing at his best, he might have been able to challenge Marc Marquez for victory in Thailand. As he works toward recovery, the focus remains on when he will return and whether he can reinsert himself into the title fight before it’s too late.