Massimo Rivola, head of Aprilia Racing, is baring his claws: all MotoGP manufacturers support a rule change to offer injured riders a private test before their return... except one. And that "one" is Ducati, which is dragging its feet to avoid implementing it until 2026. At stake: the ordeal of Jorge Martin, 2024 champion and Aprilia's new star, crippled by injuries and deprived of a proper ride on his RS-GP25. At Termas, Rivola has spilled the beans – and it smells like a clash!
Massimo rivola, the CEO ofAprilia Racing, revealed that all but one of the MotoGP manufacturers supports a proposed rule change to allow injured riders to take a private test before returning to racing. The move aims to provide riders with better preparation after a prolonged injury-related absence, while also improving safety and competitiveness.
Currently, within the MotoGP concession system, Yamaha et Honda benefit from greater flexibility, with unrestricted private testing. On the other hand, drivers of Ducati, Aprilia et KTM are only allowed to test during official MotoGP sessions. The proposal ofAprilia would allow any driver who has missed several races due to injury to complete a one-day private test before returning.
This idea was motivated by the difficult situation of George Martin, the reigning MotoGP champion and new recruit ofApriliaMartin missed almost all of preseason testing and will be out for at least the first three races of the year due to multiple injuries. Although he plans to make his return to Qatar in April, he first wants to assess his physical condition on a RS-GP.
However, current restrictions do not allow him to test his race bike before his return. The only option available is to ride a production Superbike, which, according to Aprilia, does not replicate the requirements of a MotoGP prototype. Without proper testing, Martin may have to delay their return or return prematurely, which could compromise their recovery and performance.
Massimo rivola confirmed that a formal request for a rule change has been submitted. However, to be adopted mid-season, this proposal requires a unanimous approval from all manufacturers. " We need unanimity to change the rules during the season ", said Rivola. " If we don't get it, I think that we will lose an opportunity to do something positive for the sport and the safety of the drivers »
Massimo Rivola: “ I feel sorry for the drivers we haven't done this for in the past. but I hadn't had this idea before »
Ducati, although in favor of the idea, wants to postpone this change until 2026. This position has aroused incomprehension from Rivola, who pointed out that Martin, currently out of the running for the championnat, does not represent a threat to Ducati. " I really don't understand, honestly.For me, it's just about doing something good for the championship. ", did he declare.
Rivola also mentioned on crash.net the risks associated with a hasty return of an injured pilot. Let's say he tries in FP1 and doesn't feel good. Then we'll have one less bike for the whole weekend.. " This situation could not only harm the driver, but also affect the team and the show.
Then he adds: “ I feel sorry for the drivers we haven't done this for in the past. But I hadn't had this idea before, either because it wasn't my pilot, either because I wasn't there. So, sorry for them. »
Aprilia suffered another setback when Lorenzo Savadori, the test pilot who was replacing Martin, had to withdraw from the Argentine Grand Prix due to a shoulder injury. This incident highlights the importance of better injury recovery management for teams and drivers.
While the proposal ofAprilia seems beneficial for the sport and the safety of the drivers, its adoption now depends on the unanimity of the manufacturers. With Ducati reluctant to make an immediate change, the future of this rule remains uncertain. However, Rivola remains optimistic and hopes that the teams will reach a consensus for the good of the championship.
