Former MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin made his 2026 Aprilia debut on the official season opener in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday after lacking testing attributable to harm.
The Aprilia manufacturing facility rider endured a tricky first season with the Italian model final yr, competing in simply seven races after sustaining a collection of significant accidents.
Jorge Martin appeared within the closing sport of the season and post-season take a look at in Valencia final November as his bodily restoration gave the impression to be not off course.
Nonetheless, he required two surgical procedures in December attributable to a persistent sickness, which was stored secret till Aprilia’s launch occasion final yr.
Forward of the primary pre-season take a look at in Sepang this week, Aprilia introduced that Martin will probably be required to observe the take a look at from the sidelines as he recovers.
At this stage, it’s unclear whether or not he will probably be wholesome sufficient to participate within the Buriram take a look at forward of a brand new marketing campaign beginning in Thailand later this month.
Nonetheless, at Saturday’s official 2026 season launch occasion, Martin took to the streets of Kuala Lumpur for an indication drive, marking his first RS-GP look this yr.
“I needed to lose my footing within the first nook, in any other case I’d have crashed once more,” Martin stated on stage on the launch.
“Marco confirmed me the traces and it was a very good journey.
“I received the 2018 World Championship (Moto3) right here in Malaysia.
“Being right here brings me lots of recollections and it is nice to journey right here in Kuala Lumpur.
“So I feel there isn’t any higher place to begin the 2026 season and get again on the MotoGP bike.
“So I’m actually joyful to have the ability to try this.”
Martin has been on the heart of rider market hypothesis in current weeks, with the Spaniard reportedly near a deal to hitch Yamaha in 2027.
Aprilia have already re-signed Marco Bezzecchi for an additional two years, an announcement made forward of the primary day of the Sepang take a look at.
With Martin leaving Aprilia, two-time MotoGP world champion Pecco Bagnaia is scheduled to hitch the second manufacturing facility RS-GP.
These connections have grow to be even stronger with Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola extremely praising Bagnaia’s race tempo in the course of the Sepang take a look at.
