Martin Confesses to "Rookie" Sensations Amidst Aprilia Adaptation Challenges

Jorge Martin, the accomplished MotoGP rider, has openly acknowledged experiencing moments of feeling like a "rookie" as he grapples with adapting to Aprilia’s MotoGP bike, a sentiment stemming from a challenging first season with the team marred by a series of disruptive injuries.

Martin’s 2025 campaign was significantly curtailed, with the rider only managing to participate in seven of the scheduled 22 Grand Prix events. This limited participation was a direct consequence of four separate injuries sustained throughout the year, including two occurring during the pre-season preparations.

The fragmented nature of his season severely impeded Martin’s ability to seamlessly transition to the Aprilia RS-GP, following his high-profile move from Pramac Ducati during the winter break. As a result, the season concluded with a solitary top-five finish, a stark contrast to the expectations surrounding the rider’s arrival at Aprilia.

A recent test session in Valencia provided Martin with a valuable opportunity to gain much-needed track time and familiarize himself with the bike in a less pressurized environment. The test also allowed him to evaluate a new fairing and frame package, components that could potentially feature in his 2026 racing setup.

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Despite completing a substantial 52 laps at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Martin candidly admitted that he is still encountering difficulties in establishing a comfortable and confident feeling on the RS-GP.

"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 explained, highlighting the complexities of the adaptation process.

He further elaborated on the specific aspects of the bike that have presented the greatest challenges, stating, "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. 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."

Martin also revealed that he is currently engaged in fine-tuning the ergonomics of the Aprilia, a process that riders typically complete during the pre-season testing period. This ongoing adjustment is aimed at rediscovering his customary strength on corner exits, a critical aspect of his riding style.

"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 stated, emphasizing the importance of optimizing the bike’s setup to complement his riding technique.

The Valencia GP, held prior to the test session, saw Martin retire from the race after completing 15 of the scheduled 27 laps, a decision made as part of a pre-agreed arrangement with Aprilia. Despite being declared fit to participate in the final round of the season, Martin was still experiencing the lingering effects of a collarbone injury sustained during the Japanese Grand Prix.

Reflecting on the challenges of returning to MotoGP competition just seven weeks after his crash at Motegi, Martin outlined the physical limitations he faced.

"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," he said, underscoring the physical toll of racing with persistent injuries.

Martin expressed his determination to overcome these challenges and regain his competitive edge, stating, "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 and Context

Jorge Martin’s move to Aprilia Racing was highly anticipated, following a successful stint with Pramac Ducati, where he established himself as a formidable contender in the MotoGP paddock. In 2024, Martin finished in second place in the MotoGP World Championship standings.

Aprilia Racing, the Italian manufacturer’s factory team, has been steadily progressing in recent years, aiming to consistently challenge the established frontrunners in the championship. The team’s commitment to innovation and development has been evident in its ongoing efforts to refine the RS-GP bike.

The 2025 MotoGP season witnessed a number of significant rider movements, with several high-profile names switching teams. These changes have added an extra layer of intrigue to the competition, as riders adapt to new machinery and team environments.

The upcoming MotoGP season is expected to be highly competitive, with a number of riders and teams vying for championship glory. The pre-season testing period will be crucial for riders to fine-tune their bikes and prepare for the challenges ahead.

Looking Ahead

Jorge Martin’s focus now shifts to the upcoming pre-season testing in Malaysia, where he will continue to work on adapting to the Aprilia RS-GP and refining its setup to suit his riding style. The Malaysian test will provide a valuable opportunity to assess the effectiveness of the new fairing and frame package, as well as to address the ergonomic challenges he has identified.

Martin’s progress during the pre-season testing period will be closely monitored, as he seeks to regain his confidence and demonstrate his full potential on the Aprilia machine. The rider’s ability to overcome the challenges he has faced and establish a strong rapport with the team will be crucial to his success in the upcoming MotoGP season.

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