Jorge Martin Commits to Aprilia Until 2026

MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Jorge Martin, the reigning MotoGP world champion, has put an end to speculation by confirming he will stay with Aprilia Racing until his contract expires in 2026. The decision resolves tensions sparked by early 2025 rumors about his potential exit, driven by dissatisfaction with the bike’s performance and injuries that disrupted his season.

In-depth analysis reveals that Martin’s choice was shaped by contractual obligations, improving performance post-recovery, and intense negotiations with Aprilia, ensuring his continued partnership with the team alongside teammate Marco Bezzecchi.

Origins of the Speculation

In May 2025, rumors surfaced that Martin was considering activating an exit clause in his contract for 2026, allowing him to leave if the Aprilia RS-GP underperformed in the early races of 2025. However, a series of severe injuries from crashes early in the season sidelined him for several races, derailing his plans to evaluate the bike and fueling doubts about his future.

Tensions with Aprilia

Martin’s desire to explore other options created friction with Aprilia, which insisted on honoring the two-year contract through 2026. The dispute risked escalating to legal proceedings, as Aprilia rejected Martin’s push to exit. Dorna, MotoGP’s organizer, also opposed new contract talks amid the conflict. “We are fully committed to Jorge and confident he can return to top form,” an Aprilia spokesperson stated, underscoring the team’s firm stance.

Decision to Stay

Following extensive negotiations, Martin announced his commitment to Aprilia during a press conference ahead of the Czech GP in July 2025. The decision was influenced by Aprilia’s refusal to release him and his improving performance after recovering from injuries. Martin began delivering competitive results with the RS-GP, signaling a positive trajectory for his tenure with the team.

Contributing Factors

Beyond contractual pressures, Martin’s decision was bolstered by Aprilia’s technical adjustments to the RS-GP, which started aligning better with his riding style. The addition of Marco Bezzecchi as a teammate further strengthened the team’s dynamic, fostering optimism for 2026. Analysis suggests that Aprilia’s ongoing development of the bike played a crucial role in Martin’s renewed confidence.

With his future secured, Martin will race alongside Bezzecchi for the remainder of 2025 and throughout 2026. Fans are eager to see how this duo will challenge dominant riders like Marc Marquez of Ducati Lenovo Team. If Aprilia continues to enhance the RS-GP’s performance, Martin could reemerge as a title contender in the coming season.