Let's Talk MotoGP: Here's Why I Don't Understand Jorge Martin

Almost two weeks ago, the reigning world champion returned to MotoGP; Jorge Martin returned to the saddle in Qatar, but was injured again during the Grand Prix. But why did he come back? I don't have the answer. And that's precisely what saddens me.

Nothing to gain

I've been puzzled by these decisions for several years now. I've never understood why Marc Marquez immediately tried to ride after his crash at the 2020 Spanish Grand Prix, nor why, in 2022, he let an injury drag on for five races before undergoing further surgery. Isn't that five times more likely to fall hard and make the situation worse? Careers are at stake, I have the impression that not everyone is aware of this.

After all, he's only missed three Grands Prix, which is relatively few. Miguel Oliveira missed five last year, for example. His absence wasn't even long. Photo: Michelin Motorsport

Don't take Jorge Lorenzo's example in 2013, or other heroes who have attempted this in the past. Yes, the five-time Spanish world champion took that same risk at Assen, racing with a freshly operated shoulder. But he was playing for the world title! There, what was Jorge Martin doing on the track, he who is already eliminated from any interesting debate this year? Frankly, I don't understand.

The "Martinator" had nothing to gain by returning so early. As a reminder, he injured his hands twice this winter, first during testing at Sepang, then while training. These are fractures that are difficult to treat and require a lot of rest. After missing three Grands Prix, he was keen to participate in the Qatari round, terrible decision.

There is no scenario where this could have ended well. At best, what could he hope for? A top-10 finish at the cost of extreme pain? Was he trying to limit the damage to the championship, when only one able-bodied rider in history has managed to make up so many points on the leader? Marc Marquez and others had advised him to take his time, but here he is, two weeks later, with a new physical problem.

You might say he wanted to get a feel for the Aprilia RS-GP25, which he's never really had the chance to test until now. Is that so important? I mean, shouldn't he wait until he's in better shape to appreciate the engineers' work? In Qatar, he said “understand the motorcycle, especially when braking”, but three minutes later, admitted to adopting a position that was anything but natural on the Aprilia! One can legitimately question the relevance of his analyses under these conditions.

Unfortunately predictable

Le MotoGP The current season is marked by heavy crashes, particularly because the riders are more aggressive than ever in the start phases. Fortunately, Martin was not involved in a collision in the first two corners. He was having a quiet race when he fell, then was hit, on the ground, by Fabio Di Giannantonio. Result: a multitude of broken ribs and a pneumothorax, a serious condition of the pleuraIt sounds crazy to say this, but he was lucky, because ground collisions are by far the most dangerous accidents in motorcycle sports.

If he had crossed the line on Sunday, what would it have brought him? Would he have done it again in Jerez, with the same risk? Photo: Michelin Motorsport

It's a shame, because it was predictable. Some might think he was fine, that he was recovered. In fact, the medical officials cleared him to start. Why blame him? The truth is, he wasn't well at all. His injury wasn't bothering him, it was torturing him. Read instead what he said after the first day of competition, his first in 2025: "I'm in pain, it hurts like hell. And not just the pain of the injury, because I have to compensate with the rest of my body, and that's the worst part. This morning I did two laps in a row and had to stop for a breath.. During the Practice, I was able to do four or five, which was already better."

He said this on Friday evening, after two sessions. How can we allow a competitor who makes such comments to participate? Furthermore, if he really wanted to race, he would have every interest in playing down the situation precisely so as not to alert the doctors. But a driver can openly say that he can't complete five or six laps without it alerting anyone. On one side or the other – and probably on both – there was a clear lack of responsibility.

This isn't the first time the authorities have brought this to my attention. At the 2023 Spanish Grand Prix, Marco Bezzecchi, who had crashed heavily at the start, immediately got back on the bike for the second lights-out following a red flag. But was he even okay? He was seen limping on camera. Wasn't that dangerous for him and the others? How could one be sure of his lucidity after such a fall? The Jorge Martin case is similar to this, because I don't see how anyone can stop a driver who acts like this.

How to do ?

It's all well and good to say that after the fact, but what should he have done? Follow Fabio Di Giannantonio's example, that's all. Last year, the Italian made the opposite choice: withdraw from the championship himself to take time to get proper treatment. . Injured in the shoulder since Austria, the Ducati VR46 rider was suffering but still remained very competitive, without endangering his health. After two wonderful fourth places in a row, he decided to end his season after the Thailand Grand Prix to better prepare for 2025. He was unlucky this winter because he fell again, but I think his much more sensible approach was the right one.

Jorge Martin has a great chapter in his career to write with Aprilia, especially since it's performing quite well. Shouldn't he only return to 100% to understand and get the most out of his bike, even if it means missing the entire season? As legends of our sport have pointed out, there is life after the Grand Prix., so I sincerely hope he doesn't ruin his for a few points.

More than ever, I am curious to have your opinion in the comments. Was he right to come back so soon?

As a reminder, this article only reflects the thoughts of its author, and not of the entire editorial team.