At the MotoGP Japanese Grand Prix sprint in Motegi, Jorge Martin was involved in a collision with his Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi, an incident Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola described as a “serious misjudgement.” Martin, the reigning world champion, attempted to recover positions aggressively after qualifying 17th on the grid, resulting in a crash at Turn 1 when he lost control under braking and struck Bezzecchi.
Details and Consequences of the Crash
The crash caused Martin to suffer a displaced fracture, ruling him out of the Sunday race. He was scheduled to return to Spain on Monday for surgery. Meanwhile, Bezzecchi was fortunate to avoid any fractures, sustaining only a contusion to his leg. Rivola acknowledged Aprilia’s fortune in having lost only one rider to injury in the incident, noting the impact on the team and season.
Rivola’s Reaction and Team Outlook
Massimo Rivola offered his thoughts on the situation, stating,
“Jorge and, especially, Marco did not start from the grid positions they deserved.”
He added,
“A serious misjudgement under braking by Jorge unfortunately caused a heavy crash for both of them.”
Rivola expressed relief that Bezzecchi avoided more serious injury and regret over Martin’s continued injury struggles this season. He affirmed the team’s determination to continue working at full capacity, explaining,
“The work of Aprilia Racing nevertheless continues at full pace: we know that on Sunday, Marco, even if not in top condition, will still be able to deliver a great race and we will do everything possible to give him the best bike we can.”
Implications for Constructors’ Championship Battle
The incident led to a double DNF for the Aprilia factory team during the sprint, which had consequences in the fight for second place in the constructors’ championship against KTM. Pedro Acosta helped the Austrian manufacturer by finishing third in the sprint, reducing the points gap between the brands to 18 points heading into Sunday’s main race. Aprilia’s highest placed rider in the sprint was Raul Fernandez from the Trackhouse team, who finished eighth, providing some consolation despite the team setback.
Next Steps for Aprilia and Riders
With Jorge Martin sidelined due to injury and Marco Bezzecchi managing a leg contusion, Aprilia faces challenges in maximizing points during the Japanese Grand Prix. The team’s focus remains on supporting Bezzecchi for the race and preparing for recovery efforts, as the constructors’ championship battle tightens. How Aprilia adapts on Sunday will be critical in maintaining their position in the championship standings.
