Jorge Martin is set to make his highly anticipated return to the Aprilia MotoGP team this weekend at the Czech Grand Prix in Brno, following a period out with injury and a recent contract dispute. Aprilia has confirmed that Martin is fully motivated and physically fit, aiming to demonstrate his competitiveness after a challenging start to the season.
Jorge Martin’s Road Back After Injury and Contract Challenges
The reigning world champion had been sidelined since crashing at the Qatar Grand Prix, having missed the opening three races of the season due to injury. His return to racing was delayed further by a contract disagreement with Aprilia, which has now been resolved. Martin confirmed that he will fulfill the second year of his contract with the team through 2026, signaling a renewed commitment on both sides.
Despite the tension during the contract dispute, Martin expressed in a press conference that he has not apologized to the team because he believes his actions were in the best interest of his career. Aprilia team manager Paolo Bonora elaborated on Martin’s current state and mindset during a team meeting held Thursday evening at Brno.
Team Meeting Highlights Martin’s Renewed Focus and Motivation
Bonora revealed that Martin gathered his crew to share his future goals and to ensure everyone in the team matches his level of dedication.
“He is fully fit, better than Doha for sure, and fully motivated,”
Bonora stated to the MotoGP world feed, emphasizing Martin’s readiness to return stronger than before.
The meeting aimed to make Martin’s objectives clear and to foster a shared energy within the team. Bonora described the event positively:
“It was something good and all the mechanics, the technicians, were happy about this.”
Martin seeks to rebuild his full potential gradually by taking steady steps through each session and race.
Martin’s focus, according to Bonora, remains on competing at the level fans have come to expect from him.
“But with the focus on the future to be competitive and in the position where we are used to seeing Jorge Martin,”
Bonora added.
First Experience Back on the Bike at Brno
In his debut practice session at Brno, Martin finished 17th overall in FP1 under mixed conditions. He showed encouraging pace early, posting a lap time that would have placed him in the top five before it was invalidated due to exceeding track limits. Martin shared his initial impressions positively, noting,
“I felt good. I was close to my team-mate, two tenths from Marco [Bezzecchi].”
He acknowledged the need for further adjustments as the weekend progresses and expressed caution about the track conditions:
“It’s a good start. I need to make adjustments. Hopefully the track will improve because I was really scared of the damp patches!”
Looking Ahead: The Significance of Martin’s Comeback
Jorge Martin’s return to Aprilia at Brno marks an important turning point in his 2024 campaign, as he seeks to rebuild momentum and demonstrate his full capabilities. The successful resolution of his contract dispute provides stability, allowing the rider and team to focus fully on performance. With the encouragement and motivation renewed within the garage, Martin aims to reclaim the strong form he showed earlier in his career and reassert himself as a title contender.
As the season unfolds, attention will be on whether Martin can maintain his fitness and confidence, build on solid race performances, and strengthen Aprilia’s position in the highly competitive MotoGP championship.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is MotoGP not so popular?
A. Unfortunately, people often prefer entertainment over sports, so MotoGP is trying to profit from this trend. However, MotoGP currently lacks individuals who can create enough excitement to captivate audiences.
Q. Has anyone won F1 and MotoGP?
A. Known for being the only person to win World Championships in both motorcycles and Formula 1 cars, John Surtees showed equal talent and courage in each sport.
Q. Why isn’t MotoGP popular?
A. Motorcycling isn’t as popular as football. Even if Liberty Media spends a lot on advertising, most people don’t feel connected to it. If people had fewer entertainment choices, this might change. However, that’s not the world we live in today.
Q. Is MotoGP cheaper than F1?
A. According to the Ministry of Youth and Sports, hosting a Formula One event costs four times more than a MotoGP race. Additionally, MotoGP is also less expensive than putting on a Formula E event.
