The story had everything going for it. Jorge Martin, crowned with a world title won in a hard-fought battle against Pecco Bagnaia, was supposed to embody the new era of Aprilia. By joining the Noale-based brand, he seemed destined for a heroic role, following in Max Biaggi's footsteps to become a legend on the RS-GP.
But in the middle of the 2025 season, the romance has turned into a soap opera full of twists and turns. And Martin, rather than shining on the track, is plunged into a contractual storm which is beginning to cost him dearly in the most unpredictable area: that of popularity with the fans.
Repeatedly injured since the beginning of the year, Martin hardly rolled on the RS GPHe barely appeared in the race before crashing at Losail, and was unable to defend his title on the track. A bad run, certainly, but one that arouses the compassion of many fans: everyone hopes to see again the man who, last year, had thrilled the championship with his panache and repeated pole positions.
Except that in recent weeks, the scenario has taken a much less glorious turn. Martin, via his manager Albert Valera, brandishes a release clause written into his contract with ApriliaAccording to him, the Spaniard would be free for 2026 because he did not reach a certain place in the championship by the deadline. Problem: Martin did not roll, so cannot be included in the ranking.
History furiously recalls 2020When Martin, then pilot KTM in Moto2, had tried to invoke a similar clause after the season was abruptly halted by the pandemic. Even then, the Spaniard wanted to leave early.
Jorge Martin is playing with fire, and his fans are starting to feel the burn
At the last Grand Prix of Assen, Valera added fuel to the fire in front of the cameras, repeating that Martin was " free for 2026 "A deliberate maneuver, perceived as an attempt to put public pressure on Aprilia.
On the Noale side, Massimo rivola remains inflexible: for him, Martin is under contract until the end of 2026. A legal battle seems inevitable. And meanwhile, Martin, absent from the circuits, leaves his mechanics to work on a machine that he may not even want to ride next year. The atmosphere in the pit box is likely to be frosty when he returns after his medical.
While Martin struggles in these matters, Marco Bezzecchi traces his path. The Italian, arrived at Aprilia the same season, experienced a radically different trajectory. He blended into the team, praised the factory's work every weekend, and even gave Noale some magnificent performances this season.
« Jorge Martin's situation? I don't care at all. My relationship with Aprilia is fantastic. They welcomed me warmly.I can only return the favor by always giving the best of myself. »Says Bezzecchi, a symbol of loyalty and team spirit.
Bezzecchi is becoming the figure that Martin could have embodied: the charismatic outsider ready to challenge Marc Marquez, the superstar. Where Martin, at the slightest difficulty, seems to want to slam the door, Bezzecchi patiently builds its history at Aprilia.
On social media, fans are unforgiving. The comments on Instagram, Facebook, and the MotoGP forums are unequivocal: the sympathy Martin last year is melting away before our eyes. Those who were thrilled for him in the face of bagnaia now see him as a driver more concerned with his contracts than the track.
« Regaining the trust of fans will be very difficult, if not impossible. ", analyzes a paddock follower. " Beyond performance, a driver must also take care of his image, because he is the face of the sport and a marketing argument. »
Martin Has he compromised his career? Perhaps not sportingly, given his great talent. But his image has taken a serious hit. To the point that this contractual dispute risks being more lasting in the collective memory than his world title.
A real waste for a driver who, let's not forget, is one of the fastest of his generation. But who, for the moment, seems to be fighting in the wrong arena.
MotoGP, Assen: race classification
Championship after Assen:
