Defending MotoGP champion Jorge Martin described his comeback from injury at the Qatar Grand Prix as “better than expected,” feeling reassured that he hadn’t lost his signature riding style on the Aprilia. The 2024 title winner had been sidelined since a crash on the first day of pre-season testing in Malaysia. A further training injury ahead of the Thai Grand Prix delayed his return.
Martin finally took part in his first race weekend with Aprilia during Friday practice in Qatar, completing 34 laps and ending the day 1.568 seconds off the fastest time, placing 20th overall.
Physically, Martin said he felt like it was the first day of testing again, and he’s currently struggling on the right side of his body due to compensating for his injured left wrist. Despite the discomfort, he felt his performance was stronger than anticipated.
“I took a lot of painkillers, so it’s manageable right now,” he told MotoGP’s official site. “The pain is more intense in my ribs than in my hand. But since I’m relying mostly on the right side of my body, I’m dealing with a lot of arm pump.”
He acknowledged it would take time to regain his full speed and physical conditioning. “It’s like starting from scratch again, like the first day in Malaysia. I just need to stay calm and build back up.”
Still, he found encouragement in how quickly his technique returned. “I was already scraping my elbows on the first lap – that means my style is still there. That makes me happy. At least the photos will look good! More importantly, I can ride safely and properly, so I’m satisfied.”
Martin admitted he couldn’t complete more than two consecutive laps during the first practice session. However, by the second session, he managed to push harder and begin offering technical feedback to Aprilia about the RS-GP.
“Today was just about testing how I felt on the bike again,” he said. “I think it was a success – I was able to ride normally and complete a lot of laps. Physically, it was tough, especially in the morning, but I managed four to five laps in a row during the evening session.”
He concluded by saying the progress was significant and that the team is headed in the right direction. “I’m starting to get a feel for the bike and give feedback, which is key. We’re doing a great job just taking it step by step.”
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