Jorge Martin’s comeback is getting closer: Aprilia is just waiting for medical clearance to complete a private test day with the world champion
The return of MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin to the racetrack is slowly taking shape. As soon as the Spaniard has been given the medical all-clear, Aprilia wants to organize a special test where Martin could get back on the RS-GP before returning to the premier class.
The 2024 world champion has another medical examination in the first week of July, after the Dutch Grand Prix. It will then be the ninth race that the Spanish rider has missed due to injury.
However, Martin’s recovery is in its final stages and a comeback is within reach. It is expected that a more specific return date can be set after Monday’s examination with Dr. Angel Charte.
Martin was first injured on February 5, the first day of preseason testing, and suffered another injury later that month during private training, shortly before he was due to travel to Thailand for the season opener.
After missing the races in Buriram, Argentina, and the US, Martin returned to action on the weekend of April 13 at the Qatar Grand Prix. However, he crashed during the race and was run over by Fabio Di Giannantonio behind him.
Martin suffered a pneumothorax, pleurisy, and multiple broken ribs. The injuries forced him to spend two weeks in a hospital in Doha, and he has been undergoing rehabilitation ever since.
Following a rule change proposed by Aprilia and approved by the Grand Prix Commission, which allows riders to participate in a test after missing at least three Grands Prix, the Italian team is now waiting for medical clearance to schedule a private test session.
Special test for Martin
Speaking to Motorsport.com on Sunday at Mugello, Aprilia’s sporting director Paolo Bonora discussed the Noale-based factory team’s plans to prepare for Martin’s return.
“We are waiting for the doctors to give Jorge the all-clear. As soon as that happens, we can organize a test day thanks to the rule change we proposed,” he explained.
Aprilia has scheduled three test dates before the end of the current season: July 30-31 and August 11-12 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, and October 29-30 in Jerez. All of these dates are expected to take place after Martin’s planned return, which is currently scheduled for mid-July.
“As I said, we will take advantage of the new regulation that we ourselves proposed and organize a special one-day test so that Jorge can get back on the bike before returning to racing,” Bonora confirmed.
“As soon as we get the green light from Dr. Charte, we will look for a date,” he added, without confirming a venue. However, everything points to it taking place at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli in the second week of July – probably on July 8 or 9.
Neither Aprilia nor the rider have publicly discussed a specific return date yet. However, according to information from Motorsport.com, everything points to the Czech Grand Prix (July 17-20) as the most likely comeback scenario for the reigning world champion.
The race at the Sachsenring in Germany (July 13), with its hard braking zones and tight, twisty corners, is not considered an ideal place for a comeback.
