Let's talk MotoGP: Yes, this season is very damaging to Jorge Martin's career

It's time for the season debrief. As every winter for the past two years, this column analyzes each rider's campaign in detail, from the lowest-ranked to the world champion. The aim is to provide a reasoned perspective on the performance of each of our heroes, so we can all discuss it together. Are you ready for this second installment, dedicated to Jorge Martin? Let's go!

Yesterday's episode was dedicated to Somkiat Chantra; you can find it by clicking here.

 

What a nightmare!

 

It's almost surprising that I'm talking about Jorge Martin today, because it means he finished second to last in the drivers' championship this season. In my opinion, it was one of the most difficult campaigns in recent years: nothing went his way, but he also had his share of responsibility. Obviously, the prediction I made at the start of the season was wrong, that much is clear. I had imagined the "Martinator" finishing fifth at the end of the year, and here he is 21st, ahead of only Somkiat Chantra in the general classification.

 

 

Of course, there's an explanation. His nightmarish year began at the Sepang tests, where he suffered a serious injury for the first time. Then, he returned far too soon in Qatar, and was injured again, even more seriously. Then there was that famous contract dispute with Aprilia, that sort of "clash" in which Massimo Rivola had the last word.And finally, yet another injury in Japan. As an aside, he was plagued by misfortune: his €20,000 bike was even stolen from the paddock in Valencia. Because of these events, it's impossible to judge his season, to say whether it was good or not – from a performance standpoint, of course. However, whether he likes it or not, his status has changed.

 

Jorge Martin is no longer the same

 

Jorge Martin's image, however, has been profoundly tarnished. I've already written extensively about the "Martin affair," so I won't rehash it, but I must admit that his attitude at the time considerably disappointed me from an outsider's perspective. It's worth noting that he hadn't left KTM on good terms a few years prior, and I don't think his reputation in the paddock has benefited from it at all, quite the contrary. Fortunately for him, in a way, the Aprilia RS-GP proved to be a worthy competitor to the Ducati Desmosedici towards the end of the season, so Bezzecchi's performances undoubtedly lessened the significance of this dispute. But what would the "Martinator" have done if Bezzecchi hadn't succeeded? Would he have forced his way to trial to join Honda? This is just my opinion, but I think he's doing particularly well considering the seriousness of the situation after the French Grand Prix.

 

A career on the edge

 

The title may have shocked you, but that's what I think. When we look back on his career in a few years, I believe this 2025 exercise will be... will appear as a pivotal moment for Jorge MartinDuring this year, he made some strange decisions (like returning to Valencia for a pointless race), or even irresponsible ones (I'm thinking of Losail), and did not distinguish himself by his exemplary behavior towards his employer who wanted to change the regulations for him.

So yes, he's also had better days, let's talk about them now. On the track, even if he was never able to reach his full potential, there are still some positives. His benchmark race, in my opinion, was the one he had in Hungary. where he climbed from 17th to 4th place on an incredibly twisty circuit. He remains a – valiant – world champion, so, of course, we know that he is capable of such feats.

 

 

But let's look beyond the track's verdict alone. Seeing Bezzecchi shine when he was only the second option can't have pleased him too much, and that could pose a problem for the "Martinator." For one thing, by 2026, "Bez" will already have almost a year more of riding experience on the bike. Secondly, the Italian has gained the legitimacy to guide the development of ApriliaUnlike Martin, Marco was very proud to ride for Aprilia in MotoGP From the very beginning, and he has shown it through his successes. That's why I think 2025 could greatly influence 2026 from this point of view, and why Jorge Martin will have a hard time beating his teammate even if he is in top form.

Let's project ourselves into the future. By the end of the 2026 season, it's quite possible that Jorge Martin will have become significantly less attractive to a factory team. All the determining factors must be considered: promising new rookies are arriving (Moreira, Alonso, Holgado), new riders are entering the market (Quartararo, Marquez), and further injuries could still take their toll. Question: You are in charge of Aprilia's management, and you have the opportunity to sign Quartararo for 2027. Are you keeping Bezzecchi or Martin to go with? In light of the past campaign, my choice is quickly made.

I'm not saying he won't find a ride again for 2027, no, But I'm simply worried about his value on the transfer market with new regulations on the horizon.That is why I would like to see, in 2026, a flamboyant Jorge Martin, who reminds everyone that he is a world champion, by his prowess on the track, certainly, but also by his character.

The "Martinator" has the opportunity to breathe new life into his career next year, to reach a new level. If he misses his chance a second time with a bike capable of winning, it could be very damaging and have repercussions for years to come. If he fails, we will all point to 2025 as the turning point when he retires..

What did you think of Jorge Martin's season? Tell me in the comments!

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

 

 

Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport