Reigning MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin made his return to MotoGP riding on Wednesday morning by completing laps on the Aprilia RS-GP25 during a private test session at Misano. This marked his first time back on a premier-class motorcycle since his crash at the Qatar Grand Prix nearly three months ago, where he sustained rib fractures and lung injuries after a fall involving Fabio di Giannantonio.
Aprilia officially confirmed Martin’s initial run, noting,
“Jorge just went out on track for his first run. Air temperature 22°C, track temperature 36°C,”
shortly after the test started. The team indicated that Martin’s day would involve multiple runs with three different tyre sets, adhering to updated MotoGP protocols for riders returning from injury.
“The goal of the day is to reacquaint Jorge with a MotoGP bike, the RS-GP25, after months of inactivity,”
the Aprilia team added. They also highlighted the importance of evaluating bike ergonomics given Martin’s limited riding kilometres on their machine, stating,
“It will also be important to check the ergonomics, considering the limited kilometres he has ridden our bike.”
Additional details and footage from the test are expected to be released later.
Progress Towards Martin’s Potential Return at Brno
Martin, who is engaged in ongoing contract discussions with Aprilia about his 2026 season, had taken a critical stride last week by riding a superbike at Barcelona, representing his first time on two wheels since April. That ride served as a warm-up ahead of the official Aprilia MotoGP test at Misano.
Wednesday’s testing acts as a key milestone in the preparation for a possible return to racing at next weekend’s Czech Republic Grand Prix at Brno, the last event before the MotoGP summer break. Although a recent medical evaluation ruled Martin out of the upcoming German Grand Prix at Sachsenring, MotoGP medical director Dr. Angel Charte noted significant improvement in his rib injuries and suggested a two-week timeline for full recovery.
If Martin completes the Misano test without complications, he is expected to obtain medical clearance for Brno. This would mark only his second Grand Prix start of the 2025 season, following missed pre-season testing and early rounds due to previous injuries to his hand and ankle after an accident at Sepang, as well as his training on a Supermoto bike.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is MotoGP not so popular?
A. It’s unfortunate, but entertainment is more popular than sports, and MotoGP is attempting to profit from this trend. However, MotoGP presently lacks interesting personalities to make it exciting.
Q. Has anyone won F1 and MotoGP?
A. John Surtees is well-known for being the only World Champion in both motorcycle racing and Formula 1. He showed great skill and courage in both sports.
Q. Did F1 buy MotoGP?
A. Now that F1 and MotoGP are both managed by Liberty, they oversee these top international racing series. This could affect rules, competition, and business plans. Although the EU has given the green light, there are still concerns about it potentially leading to a monopoly.
Q. Who earns more, MotoGP or F1?
A. Formula 1 generates significantly more revenue than MotoGP. This difference is not related to the skills of drivers or riders, nor the risks involved.
