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| Jorge Martin’s Shocking MotoGP Battle with Aprilia: From Contract Chaos to a Fight for Redemption. |
It’s not every day in MotoGP that a rider has to publicly confirm they’re staying with the team they signed a two-year deal with—but that’s exactly what happened at the Czech Grand Prix when Jorge Martin finally addressed the media after months of drama surrounding his contract dispute with Aprilia.
What was supposed to be the peak of Martin’s career turned into a nightmare. He missed all pre-season testing and the first three races due to injury. Then, when he finally returned at the Qatar Grand Prix, a crash sidelined him again.
Just weeks later, Martin quietly showed up at Le Mans, trying to trigger a performance clause in his contract that would allow him to leave Aprilia at the end of 2025. That sparked a back-and-forth standoff between both sides that dragged on for weeks.
Aprilia argued that the clause—which reportedly allowed Martin to exit the deal if he wasn’t in the top five after the French Grand Prix—was invalid, since he had barely ridden the RS-GP. Meanwhile, Marco Bezzecchi won the British GP, and Aprilia used that moment to remind Martin publicly: “We have a bike that can win.”
Martin responded with a personal statement asserting his right to activate the clause. Then his manager, Albert Valera, caused a stir at the Dutch GP by claiming Martin was “free of contract” for 2026.
Aprilia doubled down and even suggested legal action. Italy’s legal system isn’t known for speed, but surprisingly, Martin’s side urged Aprilia to begin court proceedings quickly—hoping the matter would be resolved before the season ended. But with little pressure to move and few alternatives available for 2026, Aprilia chose to wait.
This push from Martin’s camp came just as Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said the reigning champion would not be allowed to race in 2026 unless he legally exited his Aprilia contract before signing elsewhere.
Then came the twist—Spanish outlet AS reported during the German GP weekend that Martin had decided to stay. In hindsight, Valera’s explosive comments at Assen now seem like a final gamble to force the issue into court, where they believed they had a strong case.
From the outside, Aprilia emerged victorious. They got what they wanted, looked stronger than ever, and avoided a repeat of 2021, when top riders turned away after the Iannone doping saga.
Last Thursday in Brno, Aprilia had their moment. In a globally broadcast press conference, Martin had to face tough media questions. But he also had his chance to explain.
Throughout the dispute, Aprilia had the public’s support. Martin, as the reigning world champion, found himself cast as the villain. He insisted, though, that he acted in the best interest of his career.
Trying to use a contract clause after barely riding the bike was always going to be controversial. But what hurt Aprilia most may have been how far they went to support Martin—fighting to change MotoGP rules so he could test privately before returning to racing. The rule change was approved and took effect immediately.
Despite all of that, Aprilia believed the relationship could be salvaged. Martin agreed: “Relationships are like a roller coaster. If you really care, you work to stay together. We had a big fight, but now is the time to build and win.”
Martin explained his mindset: after his crash in Qatar, he doubted whether he would ever race again. That fear made him question everything.
“I think when I signed the contract, I wanted security,” he said. “That’s why I included the clause. I couldn’t ride the bike, so I wanted to test it myself. I saw other riders’ results, but I needed to understand it for myself. I didn’t get that chance. So I asked for an extension to the clause window—it was denied. That’s why I made the decision I did. If I had started the season normally, this probably would not have happened. But we’re here now, and that’s what matters.”
He became emotional when talking about support from his girlfriend and his father. While he didn’t openly say he lost faith in Aprilia’s bike, the implication was clear: the crashes and time off-track shook his confidence.
Martin made efforts to repair his image in the press conference. He didn’t deny his actions, didn’t backtrack, and said, “I don’t regret anything. I did what I thought was right for my career.”
“I didn’t apologize to the team because I don’t think I need to,” he added. “But now we’re together. We’ll talk, and if they feel I need to do something to improve our relationship, I’ll do it.”
This will now be Aprilia’s biggest challenge: motivating a garage that knows Martin once wanted out—and might still be eyeing other teams for 2027. That’s a tough pill to swallow.
Even so, Martin isn’t blind to what’s happening on track. “I’m not an idiot. I see that we have great potential together. I feel ready for what’s coming,” he said.
Martin won’t be expected to win this weekend in the Czech Republic, but the second half of this season may be the most critical of his career. He needs to prove he’s still competitive if he wants to rebuild trust and make a real title push in 2026.
On the flip side, if he underperforms, manufacturers who once chased him may now hesitate—especially with the baggage this saga brings.
One thing is clear: this is not a full reconciliation. Aprilia stood its ground. Martin had to back down to avoid a long court battle that could have left him watching MotoGP from the sidelines in 2026.
Still, something good could come from this. Martin has learned lessons that may help him level up as a rider. If he uses that growth to bring Aprilia to the top of the podium, all will be forgiven.
MotoGP is about more than just speed. It’s about pressure, pride, and resilience. And this may be Jorge Martin’s ultimate test.