A year after writing one of the most glorious chapters in MotoGP history by becoming the first privateer to win the elite title, Jorge Martin unfortunately recorded one of the worst title defenses ever seen in the premier class… Another way to go down in Grand Prix history…
In 2024, the Madrid native achieved an incredible feat: winning the world championship with an independent team, a first since the start of the MotoGP era in 2002. Riding the Ducati factory prepared by Pramache won the title against bagnaia, for only 10 points.
But what followed turned into a nightmare.
His transfer to Aprilia The year 2025 should have marked the beginning of a new chapter. Instead, it has opened one of the worst scenarios ever experienced by a reigning champion.
Everything changes during the preseason. Sepang, first day of testing, Martin fracture the right hand et the left footNothing insurmountable, one might think.
But the downward spiral didn't stop. A few days later, during training, he fractured his leg. the left handthen missed the first three rounds.
When he finally returned to the track at the Qatar Grand Prix, it was an absolute disaster: a violent crash, 11 fractured ribs, hemopneumothorax, race ended in hospital. Fabio DiGiannantonio was unable to avoid him and collided with him. Martin remains absent for seven more rounds.
During this period, he will even try – in vain – to break his contract to join Honda in 2026.
Back in Brno, Martin He regained some rhythm. But fate was cruel. At Motegi, during the 17th round, he collided with his teammate. Marco Bezzecchi in Sprint, fracturing this time the right clavicle.
He will miss several more races before reappearing, weakened, at the final in Valencia.
Year in review: 8 rounds played out of 22, 7 Departures only 34 points scored, 511 points behind Marc Marquez, champion 2025. A statistical abyss.
Jorge Martin's descent into hell: from summit to abyss in 12 months
Car George Martin breaks a record no champion wants to hear about: that of the worst MotoGP title defense of the modern era, ahead Marc Marquez 2020 (injured after only one race), and Nicky Hayden 2007 (-240 points on Stoner).
Even taking into account the Sprints introduced in 2023, the gap with Marquez (511 points) remains astronomical and unprecedented.
The comparison with Hayden, which until now had been the benchmark for post-title decline, is unequivocal: Hayden In 2007, he had 0 wins, 3 podium finishes, finished 8th in the championship, and was 240 points behind Stoner. In 2025, Martin had 0 wins, no podium finishes, 34 points, and was 511 points behind Stoner. MarquezA precipitous fall into the abyss of the rankings.
Unlike other difficult seasons, this one of Martin includes an aggravating factor: the abrupt change of machine.
After four seasons on DucatiThe Spaniard had to assimilate a demanding Aprilia, with a radically different character. But with so little riding time, it was impossible to adapt.
He himself admitted it behind the scenes: You can't learn to ride a motorcycle from the infirmary. »
Et Aprilia, convinced that she had recruited the best available pilot after the refusal of Ducati, will never have been able to exploit its potential.
Which George Martin Finding himself in this chaos has something ironic about it. In the winter of 2024, ducathe had chosen Marquez rather than him for the 2025 factory team.
Hurt in his pride, the reigning champion leaves for Aprilia. Result: Marc Marquez becomes champion in 2025 Ducati sweeps up all the titles and Martin He's living a nightmare.
À 27 yearsMartin remains an exceptionally fast rider, one of the most explosive on the grid. But his 2025 season will remain a textbook case in MotoGP history: the worst title defense, the season with the most injuries, the fewest points ever scored by a reigning champion, and an impossible adaptation to his new machine.
The Madrid native now faces an immense challenge: rebuilding himself, for Aprilia, for himself, and for a championship MotoGP who will desperately need a Martin 100% by 2026.
