Reigning MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin is set to make his highly anticipated return with Aprilia this weekend at the Czech Grand Prix in Brno, following months sidelined by injury. The Spaniard’s comeback marks a crucial step as he aims to rebuild momentum alongside the Aprilia team.
Extended Recovery Period After Multiple Injuries
Martin has been absent from competition since suffering several injuries during a crash at the Qatar Grand Prix in April. His difficulties started earlier in the year, as he missed the entire pre-season after crashing on the first day of the Sepang test. Before Qatar, he also missed the first three rounds due to injuries sustained in a training incident.
Despite these challenges, Martin completed a test session at Misano last week and was cleared to race at Brno ahead of the summer break, signaling his return to the grid.
Optimism Amid a Challenging Comeback
While Martin expects a demanding journey to regain his form, he remains hopeful about his and Aprilia’s prospects for the rest of the season. He emphasized the need to focus on rebuilding and maximizing the team’s potential.
“I can’t wait to get back on the bike – I’m really happy that this moment has finally arrived,”
Martin said in a preview ahead of the race.
“Now it’s time to start building and aim for a strong end to the season.”
Unfamiliar Territory: Martin’s First MotoGP Race at Brno
This race will be Martin’s debut in the MotoGP class at the Brno circuit, as the venue was removed from the calendar after the 2020 season. His best finish there came in 2016 when he secured second place in a wet Moto3 race riding a Mahindra.
Contract Dispute Clouds Return to Aprilia
Martin’s comeback comes amid ongoing contractual tensions with Aprilia. The rider initiated a dispute during the French Grand Prix weekend in May, attempting to trigger a performance clause to be released from his contract for the 2026 season. This move was widely seen as an effort to join Honda instead.
Martin’s manager, Albert Valera, asserted during the Dutch Grand Prix weekend that the rider was free of contract obligations for next year. However, Aprilia rejected this claim, insisting that Martin’s contract must be fulfilled and even threatened legal action to enforce it.
Recent reports from Spanish outlet AS indicate that Aprilia has prevailed in this disagreement, with Martin expected to honor his current agreement. Aprilia did not provide comments at the German Grand Prix but maintained that its position remains unchanged. Martin has not publicly responded to the latest developments.
Aprilia’s Strong Standing Adds Pressure and Opportunity
Martin returns to a team that currently holds second place in the constructors’ championship, buoyed by a victory at Silverstone courtesy of Marco Bezzecchi and a double podium performance at Assen. This progress places Aprilia in a competitive position heading into the second half of the season, offering Martin a promising platform for his comeback.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is MotoGP not so popular?
A. The truth is entertainment tends to attract more interest than sports, and MotoGP is trying to benefit from this trend. However, the current MotoGP lacks personalities capable of generating enough excitement to keep it entertaining.
Q. Why isn’t MotoGP popular?
A. Motorcycling is not as popular as football. Even with lots of advertising by Liberty Media, most people aren’t interested in motorcycles. This might change if there were fewer entertainment choices, but that isn’t the case.
Q. Which is the fastest? MotoGP is faster. To give you an example. At the 2023 Misano MotoGP, the fastest lap time was 1:31.791 by Francesco Bagnaia with a top speed of 303.3 Km/h (188.46 mph) by Dani Pedrosa.
A. Which is faster, MotoGP or Superbike?
Q. Has anyone won F1 and MotoGP?
A. Known for being the sole World Champion in both motorcycle and Formula 1 racing, John Surtees demonstrated equal talent and courage in each sport.
