Former MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin made his debut for Aprilia in the 2026 season at the official launch event held in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, having missed earlier testing sessions due to injury. Martin faced a challenging 2025 campaign with Aprilia, only managing to compete in seven races after suffering multiple severe injuries.
He returned for the season’s final race and the post-season test in Valencia last November, signaling progress in his recovery. However, Martin underwent two surgeries in December to address a chronic health issue, details of which were kept private until revealed at Aprilia’s launch event last year.
Ahead of Aprilia’s first pre-season test in Sepang this week, it was announced that Martin would be sidelined to continue his rehabilitation. It remains uncertain whether he will be fit to participate in the upcoming test in Buriram, ahead of the new season opener in Thailand later this month.
Despite this, Martin made his first appearance of 2026 by riding the RS-GP in a demonstration on the streets of Kuala Lumpur during the launch event. Reflecting on the ride, Martin admitted, “I had to back off into the first corner to avoid crashing again.” He praised fellow rider Marco Bezzecchi for showing him the racing lines and described the ride as “really good.”
Martin also reminisced about winning the 2018 Moto3 World Championship in Malaysia, saying, “Being here brings back a lot of memories, and it’s fantastic to ride here in Kuala Lumpur. I can’t think of a better place to start the 2026 season and get back on a MotoGP bike. I’m genuinely happy to be here.”
Recent rumors suggest Martin is close to securing a contract with Yamaha for 2027. Meanwhile, Aprilia has confirmed an extension for Marco Bezzecchi for another two years, announced just before the Sepang test began. With Martin set to leave, two-time MotoGP world champion Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia is expected to take over the second factory Aprilia seat. The relationship between Bagnaia and Aprilia seems promising, especially following CEO Massimo Rivola’s high praise of Bagnaia’s pace during the Sepang test.
Fan Take: Jorge Martin’s recovery and first ride of the season offer a hopeful glimpse into what could be a fresh start for both the rider and Aprilia. With a major shakeup in the factory lineup on the horizon, including Bagnaia’s anticipated arrival, 2026 looks set to be an exciting and transformative year for MotoGP fans.
