MotoGP, Sportrik Media - Jorge Martin of Aprilia Racing arrives at the 2026 Spanish MotoGP in Jerez sitting second in the world championship, narrowly behind team-mate Marco Bezzecchi following a consistent start to the season.
This position marks a sharp contrast to just a few months ago, when Martin faced uncertainty after suffering a serious collarbone fracture at Motegi. Although he was initially cleared to return for the Valencia finale and post-season test, the Spaniard quickly sensed that the injury had not fully healed.
Subsequent medical evaluations confirmed complications in the recovery process, leading to a second surgery in December. During that period, Martin revealed that Marc Marquez played a key role in advising him on the choice of surgeon, a decision that proved decisive in stabilising his condition.
“At a time when I was unsure and had several surgeons as options, he advised me. He told me who he thought was the best, and I went for it. It’s gone well, and I’ll always be grateful for that call,” Martin explained.
The surgery forced Martin to miss the opening pre-season test at Sepang, but his adaptation to the RS-GP package was immediate. He secured fourth and fifth-place finishes at the Buriram opener, followed by a double podium in Brazil, and continued momentum with a Sprint victory and second place at Austin.
“It’s been incredible. I hope to continue in this vein, maintain this consistency, and keep the good feeling from Jerez and Le Mans,” he said.
“There’s still a long way to go in the championship and many races; it’s important to start well, but then you have to maintain it.”
Aprilia’s near-perfect start to the 2026 campaign has positioned the manufacturer at the top of all three championships—riders’, teams’, and constructors’—with Bezzecchi delivering grand prix victories and Martin contributing through Sprint success and consistent podium contention.
Despite this momentum, Martin cautioned that Jerez could represent his most demanding weekend so far. The circuit’s technical profile, which emphasises braking stability and corner exit traction, is not traditionally aligned with his riding characteristics or recent performance history.
“Jerez is going to be a difficult track for me and for Aprilia,” Martin stated. “We might be surprised, but I’m going there with low expectations because it’s not one of my favourite tracks.”
“I love racing there, even though it hasn’t been my strong suit. My goal is to fight for a top-five finish. If something better comes along, I’ll embrace it. If we can fight for a podium, that would be amazing.”
Martin also adopted a measured stance regarding his 2026 title prospects, describing a championship push as premature at this stage despite his competitive form and Aprilia’s early dominance.
“It’s clear we’re all here to win. But considering where I’ve come from and what I’ve been through, thinking about a world championship right now is a bit early,” he said.
“Who knows? If we have a chance with two or three races to go, we’ll go all out. Right now I want to take it one day at a time and see where we end up.”
Notably, Martin missed last year’s Spanish MotoGP due to injuries sustained in Qatar, making this return to Jerez particularly significant in terms of rebuilding consistency at a circuit that has historically presented challenges for him. With the championship battle intensifying, his performance this weekend will be a key indicator ahead of the next round at Le Mans.
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