Jorge Martin’s road back to full fitness received a vital boost after guidance from fellow MotoGP star Marc Marquez helped him address lingering injury problems that threatened to derail his preparations for the new season.
The Aprilia rider ended last year with serious injuries, including a broken right collarbone and left scaphoid, following a crash in Japan. Although he returned for the Valencia finale, the pain never fully disappeared, disrupting his planned winter recovery and raising concerns about his readiness for the upcoming campaign.
During the off-season, Martin experienced a sudden increase in discomfort at home, with sharp pain returning in his collarbone and wrist. The episode confirmed that his initial recovery had not progressed as expected and prompted him to seek further medical advice.
At that point, Martin contacted eight-time world champion Marc Marquez, who has extensive experience recovering from complex injuries. Marquez recommended the medical team that had treated his own hand and shoulder problems and provided their contact details.
“I advised him to visit the doctors who operated on my thumb and shoulder, and I shared their information with him,” Marquez told Motorsport.com.
Following the recommendation, Martin consulted specialists at the Ruber Clinic in Madrid, led by Dr. Ignacio Roger de Ona. After further examination, doctors concluded that another operation was necessary to stabilise his collarbone.
Martin underwent a second procedure that included a bone graft taken from his hip to reinforce the damaged area. While the surgery was demanding, it provided a more solid foundation for his recovery. The Spaniard later joked that his collarbone was now “stronger than ever,” reflecting his renewed confidence.
To reduce pressure during his rehabilitation, Martin chose not to publicly discuss the surgery and avoided mentioning it at Aprilia’s Milan season launch. He focused instead on rebuilding his strength and assessing his condition privately.
However, reports later confirmed that he had undergone surgery in December, which forced him to miss the opening Sepang pre-season test. After completing his recovery programme, Martin received medical clearance this week and returned to riding at the Aspar Circuit in Valencia.
With fitness improving, Martin is now targeting the second official pre-season test in Thailand on February 21 and 22 as his main return to competitive action. The test will be a key step in his preparations for the season opener on March 1.
After months of uncertainty and rehabilitation, Martin’s comeback has gained momentum. Supported by expert medical care and timely advice from Marquez, the Aprilia rider is determined to regain his form and re-establish himself as a contender in MotoGP’s premier class.
