Just a week ago, Jorge Martin’s camp was publicly insisting he was a free agent for 2026. Fast forward a few days, and it now looks like the reigning world champion is sticking with Aprilia after all. So, what happened? A dramatic test, top-level interventions, and a hefty dose of behind-the-scenes pressure—here’s how things unfolded.
A Positive Test, a Shift in Tone
The first sign of a turnaround came earlier this week when Martin swung a leg over the Aprilia RS-GP for the first time since his injury, testing at Misano. Both rider and team were all smiles, and Aprilia team boss Paolo Bonora told DAZN at Sachsenring, “We have always worked with the idea that Jorge is an Aprilia rider… it was a very positive, happy test.”
Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola chimed in too, carefully avoiding a direct confirmation but making it clear that they believed the issue was behind them. When asked about Martin’s previous desire to exit the deal, Rivola said, “If the rider had this desire for a moment, I think he had his reason to do it… but for us, there is no news. We think the future is already fixed.”
From Exit Plan to Blocked Route
So how did we get here? Back in June, things were heating up behind the scenes. After Ducati snubbed Martin in favor of Marc Marquez for the factory seat, Martin’s manager Albert Valera opened talks with Honda. But Aprilia swooped in quickly, and Martin signed with them for 2025 and 2026—though not without a clever escape clause tied to his performance in the first six races of the season.
Unfortunately for Martin, a long-term injury meant he didn’t get to start any of those races. Aprilia declared the clause invalid. Martin’s side pushed back, but Aprilia held firm. Then came the bombshell: Valera told the media during the Assen round that Martin was free to sign elsewhere.
That move triggered a strong reaction from none other than Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta. His statement made it crystal clear—no MotoGP team could register a rider who was still under contract, unless a court ruled otherwise or both parties agreed to part ways. That effectively shut down Martin’s Honda dreams.
Behind the Scenes: Aprilia’s No-Nonsense Approach
Aprilia, backed fully by parent company Piaggio, refused to flinch. They issued a statement saying no negotiations had taken place to alter the contract and fired a subtle warning shot at Honda, reminding them that targeting contracted riders wasn’t legitimate.
Even a proposed buyout from Valera was reportedly turned down. The price tag Aprilia quoted? Way out of reach. At that point, Martin’s options were reduced to one: stick with Aprilia and make the most of it.
Winning Him Back – Slowly but Surely
Despite the legal arm-wrestling, Aprilia’s tone with Martin stayed largely respectful and positive. They knew they had a top rider, and they wanted to keep him—not just on paper, but genuinely engaged in the project. That strategy seems to have worked.
At Misano, team insiders say Martin didn’t want to stop riding, with Rivola joking that he had to tell him, “I think it’s okay like this” to wrap up the test. Aprilia also reminded everyone of their recent progress, with Bezzecchi’s win at Silverstone serving as proof that their bike is a genuine contender.
The Final Outcome: Martin Backs Down
So here we are. Almost two months after the contract drama began, Martin has accepted that he’s staying put. He’ll ride for Aprilia until the end of 2026, with his focus now back on racing and reclaiming his place at the sharp end of the grid.
What happens after that is anyone’s guess. Will Honda still be interested in 2027? Will Aprilia be in a position to convince him to stay longer? Time will tell.
A Quick Reflection: Fickle or Just Caught in the Storm?
It’s fair to ask—how did things flip so fast? One week, his manager was declaring him a free agent. The next, Martin is smiling with Aprilia at a test and talking about the future. Was it the Misano ride that changed everything, or did Ezpeleta’s stern warning slam the door shut?
Whatever the case, Martin’s immediate future is now set. He’s staying with Aprilia. The contract is locked in. The team is happy. And Martin, whether fully by choice or not, looks like he’s ready to fight for wins again on the RS-GP.
