On Friday at Buriram, Aprilia’s strong performance was highlighted not only by Marco Bezzecchi but also by Jorge Martin, who impressed by securing the fifth fastest time in the afternoon pre-qualifying session. Martin’s pace guaranteed him a direct entry into Q2, fulfilling his goal for the day despite feeling unsettled with his adaptation to the new Aprilia bike.
Confidence and Pressure Mark Martin’s First Day on Track
Martin expressed mixed emotions after his initial runs:
“I’m not at all surprised to have been among the top three or five all day. My goal today was to get straight into Q2, because I was already fast in testing and I wanted to improve. I was a bit nervous since Wednesday, because when you feel competitive, the pressure comes. But it’s positive,”
he said. Although he felt competitive early during the morning session, weather conditions, including wind and light rain, hampered his afternoon performance. Nevertheless, Martin remains optimistic about steady improvement, aware that Bezzecchi currently holds a commanding lead.
Adapting to a Bike That Doesn’t Feel Like His Own
Martin has acknowledged significant difficulties tailoring the Aprilia to his riding style.
“It’s hard to say. I think we’re just starting to adjust the basic set-up of the bike for my riding style. At the moment, I’m still riding Marco’s bike, but I’m not him: I don’t have the same weight and the same position on the bike. So, there are some areas where I still struggle with the feeling and I have to adapt them to my riding style. It’s a process and I definitely need to adapt my riding style too, but to do that I need a bit of help from the bike. That’s why I need a bit of time,”
he explained.
Key Areas Where Martin Feels the Strain
The 2024 MotoGP Champion elaborated on how the adjustment affects both his time attack and race pace.
“I would say both in time attack and in pace. In time attack, it’s worse because of the automatisms. I’m perhaps a bit too aggressive when braking. On the other hand, when I ride in race mode, I’m much cleaner and I try to be even smoother, as the bike requires. Marco manages to brake later and more gently than me, as I’m very aggressive and brake earlier. It’s a matter of time and confidence, and I’ll improve as soon as they help me with the set-up,”
Martin said.
Finding Balance Between Aggression and Smoothness on the APR
Regarding his riding style, Martin highlighted how the Aprilia demands a different approach compared to his previous Ducati bike.
“It seems like I ride more naturally on the Aprilia than on the Ducati? I don’t think so. As I said before, I don’t think this bike accepts a very aggressive riding style, because as soon as I try to be aggressive, it starts to vibrate and do things I don’t want it to do. So, I have to push myself to do the opposite and be very smooth in changing direction and braking, because that’s how the bike works,”
he continued. He added that the riding position also impacts his performance, noting the need for more front-end load, whereas he currently sits further back than Bezzecchi. He is still learning how to make the bike work in his favor to gain speed.
Impact of New Aerodynamic Features on Performance
When asked about changes in the RS-GP’s aerodynamics, Martin noted subtle differences.
“We feel a bit more air on the straights, but honestly, it doesn’t make a big difference for us riders. I haven’t tried the bike without it, because it was there when I got on it. Whether it’s because of that or not, the bike works well,”
he said. He also described the process riders go through when new parts are added:
“Usually, when there are new elements, they are mounted on the bike and adapted to each rider, who then gives his feedback. They don’t tell you what it does beforehand. In this case, I don’t feel anything except the air on the straights. I have to say that I really like it in this heat, because it makes you sweat a little less.”
The Road Ahead for Jorge Martin’s Aprilia Adaptation
Jorge Martin’s efforts to find harmony with the Aprilia RS-GP reveal the complexity of adapting to a bike that demands smoothness over aggression. His candid reflections illustrate the mental and technical challenges he faces in adjusting his riding style while awaiting tailored bike setups. With steady progress expected, Martin’s adaptation journey will be pivotal in closing the gap with teammate Marco Bezzecchi, who currently leads in competitiveness. How quickly Martin can synchronize his approach with the Aprilia’s characteristics will significantly influence his success as the MotoGP season unfolds.
