Reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Martin broke his silence on his position at the Aprilia team on Thursday after speculation that he was pushing for an early exit.

As first reported by Motorsport.com, Martin informed Aprilia that he plans to depart at the end of the current season, despite having only just joined the team for 2025. This decision hinges on a clause in his contract that allows him to exit after the sixth round of the 2025 season the French Grand Prix at Le Mans if he isn’t a contender for the MotoGP title.

However, his prolonged injury issues, which have kept him out of all races except the season opener in Qatar, have complicated matters. Aprilia argues that the clause cannot be activated under these circumstances, insisting that Martin’s two-year deal is still in force.

Until now, Martin had not commented publicly, but he has since issued a statement on social media to clarify his position. He explained that when the contract was signed, it included a clause allowing him to reassess his future for 2026 if specific conditions weren’t met. This clause was crucial for him in agreeing to a two-year deal instead of just one.

He said that part of his motivation in switching manufacturers was to test the bike under real race conditions and to get a feel for the team’s operations. This understanding was essential in committing long-term, and the clause was added to reflect that.

With the contractual deadline approaching, Martin has decided to activate his right to explore other opportunities for 2026. He emphasized that his decision was made respectfully and transparently, with the sole aim of securing his professional future.

Although injuries and crashes have complicated this phase, Martin noted that the agreement’s terms remain unchanged. He remains open to discussions with Aprilia about potentially extending the evaluation period, with the goal of allowing both parties to fully assess the partnership after his return to racing.

Martin struck a respectful tone toward Aprilia, which currently sits third in the standings after seven rounds. “I’ve always been honest with Aprilia,” he said. “I value the team, the bike, and the hard work of everyone involved. All I ask is that my intentions and our agreement be respected.”

He stressed that there is no animosity or blame involved only a desire to move forward with clarity after enduring a challenging period marked by serious injury.

Martin, now 27, made his MotoGP debut in 2021 with Pramac under Ducati. Although Ducati had promised him a factory seat for both 2023 and 2026, they ultimately chose Marc Marquez from Gresini instead informing Martin of their decision at Mugello on June 2 last year. As a result, Martin opted to leave Pramac, declining a two-year extension as Ducati’s third official rider, and signed with Aprilia for the 2025 season. Reports suggest that Honda may be a possible destination for 2026.