Jorge Martín at the Crossroads

When Jorge Martín signed with Aprilia Racing for the 2025 MotoGP season, the narrative practically wrote itself—a world champion leaving behind the shadows of Ducati’s hierarchy to become the face of a manufacturer desperate for a breakthrough. But just months into his tenure, the story is taking a dramatically different shape. Whispers in the paddock now suggest that Martín may already be preparing to walk away.

This wasn't supposed to happen. And yet, in MotoGP—where loyalty bends under the weight of lap times and title ambitions—“supposed to” rarely means much.

From Pramac’s Prodigy to Aprilia’s Savior

Martín’s rise to prominence has been a tale of resilience and fire. Having narrowly missed the 2023 title to Pecco Bagnaia in one of the closest battles of the MotoGP era, the Spaniard responded with unrelenting form in 2024, clinching his first premier-class crown aboard the Pramac Ducati. Yet, even with the number 1 plate on his fairing, the factory seat at Ducati eluded him once again—this time handed to the returning icon Marc Márquez.

It was a bitter pill. Publicly, Martín remained composed. Privately, the sting was unmistakable. When Aprilia came calling with a lucrative multi-year deal and the promise of full factory backing, the answer was obvious. Here was a brand with pedigree, ambition, and—crucially—a bike that had shown flashes of brilliance in the hands of Aleix Espargaró. Martín saw not a compromise, but an opportunity to shape a legacy.

Early Cracks in the Foundation

The 2025 season, however, has not been kind. Martín’s campaign started disastrously with a terrifying high-speed crash at Lusail, which left him with 11 fractured ribs and a collapsed lung. It sidelined him for several rounds and delayed what was already going to be a steep adaptation process to Aprilia’s RS-GP—one of the most unique bikes on the grid in terms of dynamics and setup philosophy.

Even when he returned, the RS-GP didn’t meet expectations. The competitiveness that the Noale-based outfit exhibited in flashes during 2022 and 2023 seemed to have regressed. Martín struggled to extract confidence from the front end and complained of inconsistency in traction. Race results have been underwhelming, and a podium finish has remained elusive.

Despite having committed to Aprilia until 2026, Martín’s contract reportedly includes a performance-based exit clause—believed to be structured around both bike competitiveness and points tally by mid-season. According to multiple paddock insiders, Martín has already signalled his interest in activating this clause unless significant improvements materialize over the next few rounds.

Martín’s Next Moves – An Open Market Star

Should Martín part ways with Aprilia, the 2026 rider market could be thrown into chaos. Few riders of his calibre become available in their prime—and even fewer who bring a recent world title and elite-level qualifying prowess. The options, while not unlimited, are significant.

Honda could be a natural destination. Still in the throes of a massive rebuilding process post-Márquez, the Japanese giant has made no secret of its desire to secure top-tier talent. Martín's blend of aggression and technical insight would be invaluable in resurrecting the RC213V project—though many insiders wonder whether he'd risk being stuck in development purgatory for another title shot.

Yamaha, now paired with Pramac, also emerges as a tantalizing opportunity. The factory is desperate to return to form, and with Pramac’s strong infrastructure, it could offer Martín a familiar environment and possibly a lead development role. But questions remain over whether Yamaha’s engine development can match his expectations.

KTM/GASGAS have been steadily climbing the performance charts, and with Tech3’s GASGAS-branded team offering increased factory support, a homecoming of sorts for Martín—who once rode for KTM in Moto3—could appeal to both sides.

Alternatively, VR46 and Trackhouse Aprilia may offer shorter-term project roles if Martín wants to keep himself on the grid in 2026 while waiting for a top seat to become available again.

Aprilia’s Perspective: A Storm They Didn’t Expect

From Aprilia’s side, losing Martín would be more than a contractual headache—it would be a reputational blow. The team believed they had secured their post-Espargaró future, anchoring it to a current champion with star power and swagger. Martín’s departure would paint a picture of stagnation at best, dysfunction at worst.

The team has pushed back, reportedly requesting more time to demonstrate the RS-GP’s potential—arguing that Martín’s injuries have deprived both parties of a fair assessment window. Aprilia insiders suggest that technical updates are on the way, particularly addressing the bike’s top-end power delivery and chassis compliance issues. Whether that will be enough to sway Martín is another matter.

The Next Six Races: Make or Break

For now, Martín has committed to giving Aprilia six more races—six Grand Prix weekends to prove that the bike can compete at the sharp end of the grid. It’s a pragmatic extension, acknowledging both his time missed and Aprilia’s efforts. But it’s also a countdown.

Behind the scenes, agents are already sounding out options. Team bosses are watching. And the rest of the grid is bracing for another twist in the ever-chaotic rider market.

Jorge Martín didn’t become a world champion by settling for second-best. If Aprilia can’t rise to meet his ambition, they may soon find themselves searching for yet another saviour.