Jorge Martin Dismisses Injury-Plagued 2025 Season as a Defining Chapter in His MotoGP Career

VALENCIA, Spain – Jorge Martin, the reigning MotoGP champion, has downplayed the significance of his tumultuous 2025 season, marked by a series of injuries and setbacks, insisting that it will not overshadow his overall achievements in the sport. Speaking ahead of the season-ending Valencia Grand Prix, Martin acknowledged the challenges he has faced since joining Aprilia Racing, but expressed determination to move forward and focus on the future.

Martin’s 2025 campaign has been far from the dominant performance he delivered in 2024 with Pramac Ducati, where he secured the world title. A series of unfortunate events, beginning with pre-season training injuries, have severely hampered his progress and limited his time on the track.

"I feel good and happy to be here," Martin stated upon his return to the paddock in Valencia. "It’s been a difficult year, but I wanted to put it behind me. I didn’t want to stay at home until February. I’ve worked hard to be here this weekend. My goal is to start working towards 2026; for me, this is already a test."

The Spaniard’s troubles began during pre-season training, where he sustained two separate injuries that forced him to miss valuable testing time and delayed his competitive debut until the Qatar Grand Prix in April. However, his return to the track was short-lived, as another crash at Losail International Circuit resulted in a further spell on the sidelines.

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It wasn’t until the Czech Grand Prix in July that Martin finally managed to complete a full race distance, highlighting the extent of the difficulties he encountered during the first half of the season. Just as he appeared to be regaining his form and adapting to the Aprilia RS-GP, another setback occurred at the Japanese Grand Prix.

In a Sprint race incident, Martin misjudged the start and collided with his Aprilia teammate, Marco Bezzecchi, resulting in a broken shoulder and another enforced layoff. The incident not only sidelined Martin but also led to a double long-lap penalty for "riding in an irresponsible manner" at the Valencia Grand Prix.

Despite the setbacks, Martin has returned to the track for the Valencia Grand Prix, marking only his eighth appearance in 22 race weekends. He has been declared fit to compete by medical staff and is eager to use the final race of the season as a springboard for his preparations for the 2026 season.

"I learned very little from last year [when I won the championship]. From this year, I’ve learned much more," Martin reflected. "If there’s one thing I’m sure of, it’s that I’m going to be better, I’m going to compete better, I’m going to eat better, and I’m going to train better. That’s what this year has given me, not last year."

Martin’s move to Aprilia in 2025 was met with high expectations, as the Noale-based manufacturer had shown clear signs of progress, with both Bezzecchi and Raul Fernandez securing race wins. However, Martin has yet to secure a podium finish, with his season marred by the aforementioned injuries and incidents.

"I’ve learned that I love this sport more than I could have imagined, because after a year like this, I could have waited until February to get back on the bike. But this difficult year will not define my career," Martin asserted, emphasizing his passion for MotoGP and his determination to overcome the challenges he has faced.

The Valencia Grand Prix marks the end of a challenging season for Martin and the beginning of his preparations for 2026. While his first year with Aprilia has been far from ideal, he remains optimistic about the future and is determined to prove his capabilities on the RS-GP.

Background on Jorge Martin’s Career

Jorge Martin, born on January 29, 1998, in Madrid, Spain, has rapidly ascended the ranks of MotoGP since his debut in the premier class in 2021. His journey to the top has been marked by both remarkable talent and resilience in the face of adversity.

Martin began his racing career in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup in 2012, where he quickly established himself as a frontrunner, securing the championship title in 2014. He then progressed to the FIM CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship, where he continued to impress with his speed and racecraft.

In 2015, Martin made his debut in the Moto3 World Championship with the Mapfre Mahindra Team, marking the beginning of his journey on the world stage. He quickly adapted to the competitive environment and secured his first podium finish in 2016 at the Misano Grand Prix.

In 2018, Martin achieved his breakthrough season in Moto3, riding for the Del Conca Gresini Moto3 team. He dominated the championship, securing seven victories and nine pole positions en route to claiming the Moto3 World Championship title.

His success in Moto3 earned him a promotion to the Moto2 World Championship in 2019, where he joined the Red Bull KTM Ajo team. He demonstrated his adaptability by securing several podium finishes in his rookie season, showcasing his potential for future success.

In 2021, Martin made the highly anticipated step up to MotoGP, joining the Pramac Racing team, a satellite team of Ducati. He quickly made an impact, securing a pole position and a podium finish in his second race at the Doha Grand Prix. Throughout his debut season, he consistently challenged for top positions, earning the Rookie of the Year award.

In 2024, Martin secured the MotoGP World Championship riding for Pramac Ducati. His consistent performances and ability to challenge established stars cemented his status as a top contender in the sport.

Aprilia Racing’s Recent Performance

Aprilia Racing has emerged as a competitive force in MotoGP in recent years, demonstrating significant progress in terms of both bike development and team performance. The Noale-based manufacturer has invested heavily in its MotoGP program, attracting talented riders and engineers to bolster its efforts.

In 2025, Aprilia riders Marco Bezzecchi and Raul Fernandez have secured race wins, demonstrating the competitiveness of the RS-GP machine. Bezzecchi’s victory at the Argentine Grand Prix marked Aprilia’s first MotoGP win since 2004, while Fernandez’s triumph at the Catalan Grand Prix further solidified Aprilia’s resurgence.

Aprilia’s success has been attributed to its focus on aerodynamic development, engine performance, and rider feedback. The team has worked closely with its riders to refine the RS-GP, resulting in improved handling, acceleration, and overall competitiveness.

Valencia Grand Prix Preview

The Valencia Grand Prix marks the final round of the 2025 MotoGP season and presents an opportunity for teams and riders to conclude the year on a high note. The Ricardo Tormo Circuit, located near Valencia, Spain, is a challenging track known for its tight corners and demanding layout.

The race is expected to be closely contested, with several riders vying for victory. In addition to the championship contenders, other riders, including Jorge Martin, will be looking to secure a strong result and build momentum for the 2026 season.

The Valencia Grand Prix is also significant as it marks the final race for several riders with their current teams. As such, there is likely to be a sense of farewell and anticipation for the changes that will occur in the MotoGP landscape in 2026.

Jorge Martin’s Penalty

Adding to Martin’s challenging weekend, he was handed a double long-lap penalty for the Valencia Grand Prix due to his collision with Marco Bezzecchi at the Japanese Grand Prix. The penalty was imposed after race stewards deemed Martin’s actions "irresponsible" and contributing to the incident.

Martin accepted the penalty, stating, "The penalty is understandable. I made a mistake, and it’s not the same when you’re alone as when you’re surrounded by other riders at the start."

The penalty will require Martin to navigate the designated long-lap section of the track twice during the race, adding significant time to his overall race time and potentially hindering his chances of a strong finish.

Despite the setback, Martin remains focused on his preparations for the race and is determined to overcome the challenges he faces. He is eager to use the Valencia Grand Prix as an opportunity to learn and improve, setting the stage for a more successful 2026 season.

As the MotoGP paddock converges on Valencia for the final race of the season, all eyes will be on Jorge Martin as he seeks to put a challenging year behind him and focus on the future. His resilience and determination will be tested as he navigates the demanding Ricardo Tormo Circuit, aiming to end the season on a positive note and begin his preparations for the 2026 season.