Jorge Martin has detailed the extent of his physical struggles following a difficult and injury-hit 2025 MotoGP season, revealing that he required multiple surgeries after the campaign ended and was left unable to carry out basic daily tasks.
The Aprilia rider said that although he returned to racing at the Valencia season finale and sampled the 2026 prototype, his condition deteriorated shortly afterwards.
“I thought I had recovered, but two weeks after Valencia, I could not even pick up a bottle of water,” Martin said, describing the severity of his post-season weakness.
Medical examinations revealed unresolved injuries to his left hand and collarbone. One operation was required to repair a hand fracture dating back to February 2025, while another addressed a collarbone injury from his Motegi crash. The collarbone procedure included a bone graft taken from his hip.
The surgeries forced Martin to miss the Sepang pre-season test, a key development session for both rider and manufacturer. His absence slowed his adaptation to Aprilia’s new machine, although he still travelled to Malaysia to remain involved with the team.
Despite the setback, Martin says his recovery is now progressing well.
“I feel much better than I did in Valencia, which is a good sign,” he said. “After two more surgeries, I had days of doubt, but I knew it was necessary for my future.”
Source: Newsweek
He added that his collarbone now feels strong following the operation, while his hand has healed structurally and continues to regain strength and mobility.
Martin admitted he never felt fully fit throughout the 2025 season and is determined to return at full capacity in 2026.
His next major target is the Buriram test in Thailand on February 21 and 22, where he hopes to make his full on-track comeback. Doctors advised him not to rush his return for Sepang in order to avoid further complications.
“The Thailand test is the target, so I can give proper feedback on the new Aprilia,” Martin said.
The 2026 season begins one week later with the Thai Grand Prix on March 1.
Martin’s 2025 campaign was severely disrupted by injuries, starting with a major crash on the opening day of pre-season testing in Sepang. He missed most of the year and completed only four Grands Prix, making consistency impossible.
For both Martin and Aprilia, a healthy start to 2026 is now crucial. After a season defined by setbacks, the focus has shifted firmly to recovery, stability, and a fresh opportunity to compete at the front of MotoGP.
