Aprilia star set to miss crucial season opening MotoGP test as he recovers from surgery
Jorge Martín will be absent from the opening MotoGP test of 2026, as Aprilia Racing begins its preparations for the new season at the Sepang Shakedown Test from January 29 to 31. The official test follows from February 3 to 5, but Martín will sit out both, continuing his physical recovery program following two revision surgeries in December on his left scaphoid and right clavicle.
Aprilia’s test rider, Lorenzo Savadori, will step in for Martín during the Malaysian sessions, carrying out development work on the RS-GP26. Martín will still be present at the circuit to observe the team and track the progress of the new bike, which he will race alongside Marco Bezzecchi in 2026.
The Spanish rider enters the new season aiming to reset after a challenging 2025, a year marred by injuries that prevented him from consistently fighting at the front. Martín’s absence from the opening tests underscores the ongoing battle he faces to regain full fitness and return to his potential form. “The goal now is to get back to battling for the top spots and winning,” Martín said. “As soon as I am at 100% fitness, we’ll be ready for anything.”
Meanwhile, Marco Bezzecchi approaches 2026 on the back of a breakthrough 2025 season. The Italian rider finished third in the Riders Championship with 353 points, the best result ever for an Aprilia competitor, and helped the team to a record-breaking 418 points in the Manufacturers Championship. Bezzecchi’s consistent performances, which included multiple wins and podiums, have positioned him as the reference rider for the RS-GP26 heading into the new season.
Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola emphasized the dual paths the team will take in 2026: “We’ll be following two different paths in the garage. On one side, we’re keen to pick up from the same level where we left off at the end of last season with Marco, and on the other, we’ll be building a lot with Jorge.”
With Martín focused on rehabilitation, Bezzecchi will lead Aprilia’s initial on-track development, while Savadori supports the ongoing evolution of the RS-GP26 ahead of the season opener.
