Martin Concedes "Rookie" Sensations Persist Amidst Aprilia Adaptation Challenges

Valencia, Spain – Jorge Martin, the highly-regarded MotoGP rider, has admitted to experiencing moments of feeling like a novice aboard the Aprilia RS-GP, following a challenging inaugural season marked by a series of injury setbacks. The admission comes after the Valencia test, a crucial opportunity for Martin to gain valuable track time and evaluate new components for the 2026 season.

Martin’s 2025 campaign was significantly disrupted, limiting him to just seven starts out of a possible 22 Grands Prix. A litany of injuries, including two sustained during pre-season testing, hampered his ability to adapt to the Aprilia machine after his high-profile switch from Pramac Ducati over the winter break. The disrupted season culminated in a solitary top-five finish, a stark contrast to the expectations surrounding his arrival at the Italian manufacturer.

The Valencia test, held at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, provided Martin with a much-needed opportunity to accumulate mileage on the RS-GP in a relatively low-pressure environment. He also had the chance to assess a new fairing and frame package, components potentially destined for the 2026 iteration of the bike. Despite completing 52 laps, Martin expressed that he continues to grapple with feeling entirely comfortable on the Aprilia.

"To ride more and more with Aprilia is always good. I get confidence, but for me, sometimes I feel like a rookie with this bike, because it’s difficult for me to understand different things or when we change things, like the fairing," Martin stated.

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Despite the challenges, Martin highlighted a positive step forward with the chassis. "For me, the biggest step was the chassis, it was really good. Straight away we started with it and turning was more natural, it’s more fitting to my style, so this is good."

However, the assessment of the new fairing proved more complex. "And then in terms of fairing, it is difficult to understand. We still need to do some meetings to understand what to try in Malaysia, because we ended the season with a really good feeling and to improve that is really difficult."

The rider also revealed ongoing efforts to refine the ergonomics of the Aprilia, a process typically completed during pre-season testing. These adjustments are aimed at rediscovering his characteristic strength on corner exits.

"I tried different tanks, different footpegs, and also some positives from there, but it was a big confusion also for the riding style and we had a really short time to try, so we went back to standard. But in Malaysia, I will change the footpegs to help me to improve my style with the Aprilia, because still the drive is a big issue for me when I exit from the corners. Normally, it’s my strongest point, but I cannot take out the full potential from the Aprilia, so it’s where I want to really focus on."

Martin’s struggles are further compounded by the lingering effects of injuries sustained earlier in the season. He retired from the Valencia Grand Prix, a decision pre-arranged with Aprilia, after completing 15 of the scheduled 27 laps.

The rider explained the physical challenges he faced upon returning to MotoGP action just seven weeks after a collarbone injury sustained at the Japanese Grand Prix.

"I just need to recover. To not feel pain is the main thing. When I ride, I still have pain on my back, on my ribs, on my hand, on my collarbone, on the shoulders. To ride like this is really difficult. It was much more than what I expected. I still feel there are five-six tenths to pick to win, so I just need to understand the bike a bit more, and as soon as I feel 100% with my body, I can ride and take more risks. Also mentally, when you ride with this margin to not crash, you cannot take the confidence."

Background: Jorge Martin’s Career Trajectory

Jorge Martin, born in San Sebastián de los Reyes, Spain, began his Grand Prix career in 2015 in the Moto3 class. He quickly established himself as a formidable talent, securing his first victory in 2017 at the Valencia Grand Prix. In 2018, he clinched the Moto3 World Championship title, further cementing his status as a rising star.

Martin progressed to the Moto2 class in 2019, demonstrating his adaptability and racecraft. In 2020, despite contracting COVID-19 mid-season, he secured his first Moto2 victory at the Styrian Grand Prix and finished the season in a commendable fifth place overall.

The Spaniard made the leap to MotoGP in 2021 with Pramac Ducati, immediately making an impact. He secured pole position and a podium finish in only his second race, the Doha Grand Prix. A victory at the Styrian Grand Prix further highlighted his potential. However, his rookie season was also marred by a severe crash at Portimao, resulting in multiple fractures and sidelining him for several races.

In 2022 and 2023, Martin continued to impress with Pramac Ducati, consistently challenging for podiums and victories. He finished second in the 2023 championship, narrowly missing out on the title to Francesco Bagnaia.

His move to Aprilia Racing in 2025 was seen as a significant step in his career, offering him the opportunity to lead a factory team. However, the season has been fraught with challenges, including adaptation to the new machine and the aforementioned injuries.

Aprilia Racing: A Team in Transition

Aprilia Racing, the factory team of Italian manufacturer Aprilia, has a rich history in Grand Prix motorcycle racing. The team has achieved considerable success in the 125cc and 250cc classes, securing multiple world championships.

In the MotoGP era, Aprilia has faced a more challenging path. The team returned to the premier class as a factory outfit in 2015, after a period of collaboration with Gresini Racing. While progress has been steady, Aprilia is yet to secure a MotoGP World Championship title.

The signing of Jorge Martin was intended to accelerate Aprilia’s progress and provide the team with a rider capable of challenging for victories and the championship. However, the difficulties experienced by Martin in his first season have highlighted the challenges of adapting to a new machine and the competitive nature of MotoGP.

Looking Ahead: The 2026 Season and Beyond

The Valencia test provided a glimpse into the potential direction of Aprilia’s development for the 2026 season. The evaluation of new fairing and frame packages indicates the team’s commitment to continuous improvement and its ambition to close the gap to its rivals.

For Jorge Martin, the focus remains on regaining full fitness and maximizing his understanding of the Aprilia RS-GP. The upcoming pre-season testing in Malaysia will be crucial in allowing him to further refine the bike’s ergonomics and adapt his riding style to extract its full potential.

The partnership between Martin and Aprilia Racing remains a promising one, despite the initial challenges. With continued effort and development, both rider and team are aiming to achieve their shared ambition of challenging for MotoGP victories and championships. The MotoGP world will be watching closely to see if Martin can overcome his "rookie" sensations and unlock the full potential of the Aprilia.