Jorge Martin Makes Aprilia MotoGP 2026 Debut in Kuala Lumpur

MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Jorge Martin made his first official appearance as an Aprilia Racing rider in 2026 during the MotoGP season launch event in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, following an injury-hit pre-season that forced him to miss all winter testing.

The factory Aprilia rider endured a difficult debut campaign with the Italian manufacturer last year, contesting just seven rounds after suffering multiple serious injuries that disrupted his season. Despite those setbacks, Martin returned for the final round of the championship and the post-season test in Valencia last November, suggesting his recovery was progressing in a positive direction.

However, Martin required two further surgeries in December related to pre-existing injuries, procedures that were not publicly disclosed during Aprilia’s 2025 launch event. Ahead of this week’s first pre-season test at Sepang, Aprilia confirmed that Martin would be sidelined as he continued his rehabilitation programme.

At this stage, it remains unclear whether Martin will be fit enough to participate in the upcoming Buriram test, the final official test before the 2026 MotoGP season begins in Thailand later this month. His physical condition will be reassessed in the coming weeks as Aprilia evaluates his readiness to return to full competitive action.

Despite his absence from testing, Martin took part in a demonstration run aboard the RS-GP through the streets of Kuala Lumpur during Saturday’s launch event, marking his first time riding a MotoGP machine this year.

“At the first corner I had to put my foot down, otherwise I would have crashed again,” Martin said on stage at the event.
“Marco was showing me the lines, and it was a good ride.”

Martin also reflected on his strong personal connection to Malaysia, a country that holds a special place in his racing career.

“I won the 2018 Moto3 world championship here in Malaysia,” he said.
“Being here brings me a lot of memories, and riding here in Kuala Lumpur is amazing.”

“I don’t think there’s a better place to start the 2026 season and to ride a MotoGP bike again,” Martin added.
“So I’m really happy to do it.”

Away from the track, Martin has been at the centre of rider market discussions in recent weeks. The Spaniard has been widely reported to be close to securing a move to Yamaha for the 2027 season, although no official announcement has been made by any of the parties involved.

Aprilia has already moved to secure continuity elsewhere in its line-up, re-signing Marco Bezzecchi to a new two-year deal announced ahead of the opening day of Sepang testing. With Martin widely expected to depart, speculation has linked double MotoGP world champion Pecco Bagnaia to the second factory RS-GP seat.

Those rumours were further fuelled during the Sepang test, where Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola publicly praised Bagnaia’s race pace, intensifying talk of a potential high-profile move as MotoGP approaches a new competitive era.