Finally the real Jorge
It took more than a year, but after an ordeal of injuries, doubts, accidents, and endless market rumors, in the end Aprilia was finally able to enjoy the Jorge Martin they had decided to sign during the 2024 season, when the #89 from Madrid hadn’t even become world champion yet. Today in Thailand, we (almost) saw the Martinator of the golden days again, capable of fighting on equal terms with Acosta and Marc Marquez and finishing fourth at the finish line, less than three seconds away from the podium.
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“I would say it was one of the best races of these last two years – Martin began speaking to Sky Sport MotoGP and it’s hard to contradict him – I am very happy, especially with the start of the race. I had good speed, I fought with Marc [Marquez], I fought with Pedro [Acosta]. I gave everything I had. Then the tire management was really delicate. In the last four laps, I couldn’t even open the throttle on the straight. I had to stay very calm, because it felt like the tire could explode having so much spin. But in terms of physical condition, I finished well. The heat was there, but for everyone. It’s a shame because if I hadn’t lost so much time at the beginning with Acosta and Marquez, maybe I could have reached the podium: catching Raul [Fernandez] was realistic. But I had a solid weekend, I’m happy. The important thing is to keep going like this“.
Difficult months, then joy
The biggest doubts concerned the health conditions of the Spaniard after the infinite sequence of injuries in 2025 and the two operations he underwent in December. Evidently, this time everything went the right way: “This winter was mentally very difficult – Martin admitted to Sky – two months ago I couldn’t even eat by myself, they were spoon-feeding me, and today I am fourth. Mentally I worked a lot to feel ready. I can say that I am already at 95%. I’m just missing a few laps. Today I was really scared before starting the race, but I finished it quite well. And if I finish this one well, which is so hot, in the next ones it will only get better”.
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Finally, Martin emphasized how the entire Aprilia ‘squad’ is extremely competitive at the moment: “We are four strong riders and we have all adapted to the Aprilia. Surely Bez showed us the way. Now the Aprilia is a bike that is ridden in one way and we are all going in that direction, but it also accepts different styles. We still need to continue working. The bike is solid and goes fast in almost all areas. Today I saw while dueling with Marquez and Acosta that we can fight. It will be a long season. Shope to get myself sorted and get to know the bike a bit better because I think I will have my opportunities“, he concluded. Martinator, perhaps, is truly back.
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