In a shocking development, Aprilia reveals that their star rider, Jorge Martin, will be absent from the upcoming Sepang MotoGP test, leaving fans and the team alike on the edge of their seats. But here's the twist: this news comes just after Martin's 2024 MotoGP championship victory, a title he secured despite a challenging 2025 season riddled with injuries.
As Motorsport.com previously reported, Martin's participation in the three-day test in Malaysia, scheduled for February 3-5, was already in doubt due to his ongoing recovery from two recent surgeries. These procedures were necessary to address injuries sustained during his tumultuous 2025 campaign, which saw him endure a series of setbacks.
Despite his absence on the track, Martin will still make the journey to Malaysia, joining his Aprilia team and participating in MotoGP's official launch event in Kuala Lumpur on February 7. This decision underscores the team's commitment to his recovery and their belief in his potential for the upcoming season.
The surgeries Martin underwent were a result of complications in his recovery from previous injuries. The first surgery aimed to rectify a scaphoid bone injury in his left hand, sustained in February 2025, while the second focused on his right collarbone, broken during a sprint race at Motegi in September. Interestingly, Aprilia kept these surgeries under wraps when Martin attended the team's 2026 launch event in Milan on January 15, indicating a desire to maintain a positive public image.
This unfortunate situation marks the second consecutive year that Martin's pre-season preparations have been disrupted by injuries. In 2025, he suffered fractures to his left foot and right hand on the very first day of testing at Sepang, and later aggravated these injuries during training for the Thai Grand Prix.
Now, the 27-year-old is aiming for a return at the Buriram test on February 21-22. With the season opener set for March 1 at the same Thai venue, Martin will have a mere two days to shake off the rust and get back up to speed.
Aprilia has once again turned to test rider Lorenzo Savadori to fill Martin's shoes at the Sepang test, a role he is familiar with from the previous year. Savadori will also represent Aprilia during this week's shakedown at Sepang, an exclusive event for test riders and rookies from January 29-31.
And this is the part most people miss: Aprilia's decision to keep Martin's surgeries under wraps until now raises questions about transparency in the sport. Should teams be more forthcoming about rider injuries and recoveries, especially when they impact pre-season testing and potentially affect performance? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and let's spark a conversation about the delicate balance between rider health and team strategy.
