Aprilia and Jorge Martin Orchestrated Strategic Retirement at Valencia MotoGP

Jorge Martin’s premature exit from the Valencia MotoGP was a calculated maneuver pre-agreed upon with the Aprilia Racing team, the rider revealed following the race.

The decision to retire Martin from the season-ending race at Circuit Ricardo Tormo was made in light of his still-recovering physical condition, the result of a recent collarbone injury that sidelined him for four preceding rounds of the championship. Despite making a return to the track, Martin and Aprilia determined that completing the full 27-lap race would be detrimental to his recovery and preparation for upcoming tests.

Martin’s weekend was a carefully managed exercise in damage control. After deliberately running off the track on the opening lap, dropping him to 21st position, it became evident that his primary objective was to avoid unnecessary risks. This cautious approach was further underscored by his mid-race retirement, which he confirmed was pre-planned with the team.

"I perfectly saw the place to go [in the field] and I just went out of the race [track]," Martin explained in his post-race media debrief. "It made no sense for me today to just be in the pack because you also saw [the crash] with [Johann] Zarco and Pecco [Bagnaia]. I didn’t want this to happen to me, so I just went out."

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The Spanish rider elaborated that he used the initial laps to gather data and assess the bike’s performance, but his physical limitations quickly became apparent. "I did my two laps and then I just tried to understand things about the bike. Anyway, I was really, really tired the whole weekend, so the target already before the race was to stop. We spoke together with the team and the most intelligent decision was to stop after a few laps. I did 15 laps, a bit more than [the sprint race] yesterday, so this is a good sign. But I was really tired and [struggling] with pain, so it made no sense to continue."

Martin’s decision to prioritize his health and future performance reflects the intense demands of MotoGP and the long-term considerations that teams and riders must make. His recent collarbone injury, sustained just six weeks prior to the Valencia race, had significantly impacted his ability to compete at his usual level.

"For sure, I have pain, but the thing is I couldn’t crash, so I did a weekend just riding [and] for not crashing," Martin stated. "You lose a lot of time not risking during the weekend, and this won’t be a problem in February. Now it’s time to recover."

The Aprilia crew applauded Martin as he returned to the pits, acknowledging his efforts to return to racing despite his physical limitations. The team’s support highlights the collaborative environment within the Aprilia Racing outfit and their commitment to the well-being of their riders.

Martin’s early retirement was not without strategic purpose. His participation in the Valencia Grand Prix was primarily aimed at preparing for the post-season test held at the same circuit on Tuesday. The test provided Martin with an opportunity to evaluate new components and settings on his Aprilia machine, gathering valuable data for the upcoming season.

"Today, I changed a few things on the bike that weren’t in the [right] direction. So just [gathering] more information," he added. "We know a bit more, we know that’s not the way, working a bit on the maps, understanding what I need on this bike. I feel we are improving and we are making steps. Now the important thing is to try on Tuesday because my condition still is not 100%. Then the next time on the bike in February, I will be ready to [take] risks and to take the three or four tenths that are missing for victory."

As part of the upgraded package tested, Martin utilized the same frame that his teammate Marco Bezzecchi and Trackhouse Racing’s Raul Fernandez rode to a 1-2 finish for Aprilia at the Valencia GP.

Jorge Martin’s 2024 season was marked by a series of setbacks, including four separate injuries that hampered his performance. Despite these challenges, Martin demonstrated his resilience and determination by returning to racing whenever possible. His decision to retire from the Valencia Grand Prix, while unconventional, was a pragmatic choice that prioritized his long-term health and career prospects.

Jorge Martin Almoguera, born January 29, 1998, is a Spanish Grand Prix motorcycle racer, currently contracted to Aprilia Racing. Martin was the 2018 Moto3 World Champion, and the 2021 MotoGP Rookie of the Year, racing for Pramac Racing. He finished runner-up in the 2023 MotoGP World Championship.

Martin began his career in the MotoGP World Championship in 2021, joining Pramac Racing, a satellite team of Ducati. Despite being a rookie, he quickly demonstrated his talent, securing a pole position and a podium finish in only his second race. However, his rookie season was also marred by injuries, including a crash at the Portuguese Grand Prix that forced him to miss several races. Nevertheless, he ended the season as the Rookie of the Year, showcasing his potential for future success.

In 2022, Martin continued to ride for Pramac Racing, improving his consistency and challenging for podiums on several occasions. Although he did not win a race, he finished the season ninth overall, establishing himself as a strong contender within the Ducati camp.

In 2023, Martin emerged as a title contender, securing multiple race wins and consistently challenging for the championship lead. He ultimately finished second in the standings, narrowly missing out on the title to Francesco Bagnaia. His impressive performances throughout the season solidified his status as one of the top riders in MotoGP.

Martin’s move to Aprilia Racing for the 2025 season represents a significant step in his career. Aprilia has been steadily improving its MotoGP program in recent years, and Martin’s arrival is expected to further strengthen the team’s competitiveness.

Aprilia Racing is the factory-backed motorcycle racing team of Aprilia, an Italian motorcycle manufacturer. The team competes in the MotoGP World Championship, the premier class of motorcycle racing. Aprilia has a long and successful history in motorcycle racing, with numerous championships in various categories, including 54 world titles.

The team’s current riders are Maverick Viñales and Aleix Espargaró. Aprilia’s MotoGP program has been steadily improving in recent years, with the team securing its first MotoGP win in 2022 at the Argentina Grand Prix. The team’s stated goal is to compete for the MotoGP World Championship in the coming years.

As Martin looks ahead to the off-season and the start of the 2025 season, he remains optimistic about his prospects with Aprilia. With a period of rest and rehabilitation, he aims to return to full fitness and challenge for race wins and championship contention. His strategic approach to the Valencia Grand Prix demonstrates his maturity and understanding of the long game in MotoGP, positioning him as a rider to watch in the years to come.