Reigning MotoGP World Champion Jorge Martin is counting down the days to his much-anticipated return to action after a turbulent preseason that derailed his early progress with Aprilia Racing.
The Spaniard, who was forced to sit out the opening rounds of the 2025 season due to injury, is now eyeing a comeback at the Qatar Airways Grand Prix from April 11–13—if it does not pose a risk to his long-term recovery.
In an exclusive interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Martin shared his cautious optimism: “I expect to be in Qatar, but only if it doesn’t pose any risks. I will make a visit after Austin, I think. These are the timelines, and it would be a mistake to rush them as doing so would risk making everything take even longer.”
Despite his extended absence, Martin remains confident in his ability to return stronger than ever with Aprilia. Reflecting on his career and the pivotal moment when Ducati’s decision to overlook him was finalized in June 2024 at Mugello, he said, “That’s life. You have to adapt and learn. I focused on what I had to do: win the World Championship. I hold no grudges against anyone. In the end, I like challenges, and there is no bigger challenge than trying to win again with a bike that has never won the Championship. So I’m happy.”
Watching the season’s opening Grand Prix races from the sidelines has been a frustrating experience for the champion. In his absence, Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) has asserted his dominance early in the season. Martin, however, was not surprised: “Marc winning is not something anyone couldn’t have expected…”
With the pressure mounting, Martin remains focused on regaining his form. “Compared to the others, I’m at least 5,000km behind. So, I need to return as soon as possible and get familiar with the bike.” However, he refuses to rush his recovery, embracing a resilient mindset: “Everything happens for a reason. This will make us come back stronger than before.”
Missing pre-season testing and the first three rounds of the season has put Martin on the back foot, making his transition to the RS-GP even more challenging. Yet, given his relentless determination and natural talent, few would doubt his ability to fight back once he’s at full strength. When the reigning champion finally gets back on the grid, all eyes will be on what he can achieve with Aprilia’s machine.
Credit Photo : TNT Sports
