Jorge Martin made a strong comeback to the MotoGP circuit at the Czech Grand Prix in Brno, displaying renewed confidence in his Aprilia bike just months after a severe injury and a difficult contract dispute. The reigning world champion’s return marks a fresh start following his crash and multiple fractures in Qatar earlier this season.
After missing races during his recovery, Martin faced challenges off the track due to a disagreement with Aprilia about activating a performance clause in his two-year contract. However, ahead of the Brno event, Martin confirmed his commitment to Aprilia through 2026, signaling that the disagreement has been settled.
Promising Performance Despite Recent Setbacks
At the two-day race weekend, Martin finished 11th in the sprint race and improved to seventh in the main 21-lap Grand Prix on Sunday, moving up from his 12th place starting position. Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola described Martin’s performance as “special,” showing the team‘s appreciation for his efforts amidst the recent turmoil.
Reflecting on the race, Martin shared how difficult it was to find his footing while injured but expressed pride and optimism after his return. “I feel proud,” he said.
“When I was injured, it was difficult to find my position in life. I didn’t know what to do. Now finally, back to business.”
He emphasized his consistency and focus during the race, noting that he expected more fatigue and a greater tire performance drop than experienced.
“I was consistent. I thought that I’d be more tired. I expected a bigger drop from the tyres but there wasn’t,”
Martin explained.
Building Momentum and Looking Ahead
Martin described his race strategy, which included aggressive overtaking maneuvers, such as his battle with Jack Miller, as part of his plan to rebuild momentum.
“Today my target was to make some overtakes. I was fighting with Jack [Miller]. We achieved our goal – to finish the race, to make passes, to keep learning together with the team about the bike,”
he said.
He also expressed strong confidence in the prospects of not only himself but also the Aprilia team moving forward:
“I feel really confident that in the future we can do really good things.”
Recovery Plans During the Summer Break
Unlike previous summers where he would mostly rest, Martin plans to focus on training and strengthening his body as he prepares for the rest of the MotoGP season.
“Normally in the summer breaks I rest, with only one or two days on a motorbike. But this summer break I will try to recover.”
I will try to relax, but also to train and get back stronger.
—Jorge Martin, MotoGP Rider
Meanwhile, Martin’s Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi secured a strong result by finishing second to race winner Marc Marquez at the Czech Grand Prix, highlighting the team’s competitive potential.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is MotoGP not so popular?
A. The truth is, entertainment attracts more interest and money than sports. MotoGP wants to benefit from this trend. However, currently, it lacks personalities that make it exciting.
Q. Has anyone won F1 and MotoGP?
A. John Surtees is known for being the sole world champion in both motorcycle racing and Formula 1. He showed great skill and courage in each.
Q. Did F1 buy MotoGP?
A. Liberty Media, the owner of Formula 1’s commercial rights, has been given the green light by the European Union to finish buying the MotoGP world championship.
Q. Is MotoGP cheaper than F1?
A. The Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS) shared that hosting a Formula One event costs four times more than a MotoGP race. Additionally, MotoGP is less expensive than Formula E.
