Jorge Martin admits he is scared. Not of the next corner, but of a decision that could define his season. The Aprilia rider is caught in a dilemma: undergo surgery for the arm pump that struck at Misano, or hope it fades while the championship hangs in the balance.
The story began last weekend at the San Marino Grand Prix. Martin was leading, controlling the race. Then his pace suddenly collapsed as his arm gave out. Marc Marquez pounced, and Martin had to settle for fifth. The points lead he had built evaporated, and Marquez drew level.
A Fear Rooted in the Past
Martin knows surgery carries no guarantees. "You never know when it's surgery," he said. "That's why I'm a bit scared about going into surgery, because everything can be good and I can be on a bike after maybe one week. But it can also be bad."
His apprehension is justified. The 2025 season was a nightmare: four separate injuries and only seven finishes in 22 races. That experience has left its mark. "I don't have good memories from the past, so I have to be clever and intelligent with these decisions," he added.
Time is not on his side. After Austria, there is only a short break before Japan on 3 October. If he opts for surgery, he risks missing crucial points at Motegi while Marquez and others close in.
On Friday, Martin returned to the track for practice, setting the fifth-fastest time on the RS-GP. It was the first test for his arm since Misano. "This morning, I was 100% sure that no surgery was needed. Then in the evening, I had a bit of a doubt, but it's normal," he said. "I'm getting tired as usual, so I hope that I can continue riding at 100%, and today I was able to do that."
Interestingly, Martin focused more on setup and working with the bike. He didn't think about his arm much. "Everything that I did during the week was working well and I feel much better. There will still be a question mark until Sunday after the race, but I felt super good and I think it won't be an issue during the weekend."
Still, the final call will come after the Austrian GP. If arm pump returns, surgery may be unavoidable. Until then, Aprilia and the fans can only hope for the best. Losing Martin now would be a severe blow to their title ambitions.
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