Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola has said a return for Jorge Martin at Sepang is “very, very difficult” after the Spaniard’s recent wrist fracture at Phillip Island. Rivola also vowed that Aprilia’s partnership with Martin won’t end in heartbreak.
Martin’s wrist injury and the Sepang doubts
Martin suffered a distal radius fracture on his right wrist, yet medical reports rule out any displaced fracture or need for surgery. Still, Rivola stressed that riding again in Sepang remains a remote possibility. “Very difficult. Very, very difficult,” he told Motorsport.com when asked about Martin’s chance to race.
The rider will continue rehabilitation away from Spain but Rivola made clear that being present in the paddock is not the same as suiting up and racing. “On an Aprilia, yes, but in full leathers, I don’t know,” he said, refusing to escalate medical improvement into a sporting guarantee.
Rivola’s comments extend beyond physical recovery, highlighting the emotional weight of Martin’s Aprilia chapter. “I think the story between Aprilia and Jorge deserves to end in the best possible way, victory or defeat, but not with him injured,” he declared.
The Aprilia chief acknowledged Martin’s challenging adaptation to the RS-GP, a machine already mastered by his teammates. Despite missing some racecraft on Fridays, Martin’s rapid learning curve and pace impressed Rivola, who praised his Phillip Island performance as “a champion’s race” capable of beating Marc Marquez.
Australian GP cancellation and the title fight
The cancellation of the Australian Grand Prix provided a double-edged sword. It halted Marquez from extending his lead over Martin, who had lost the championship lead after the Sprint, but also deprived Marco Bezzecchi of a strong result on a competitive Aprilia.
Rivola refuses to discount Bezzecchi’s title hopes as long as math allows. He admitted the team may have underestimated logistical issues, including helicopter availability, that led to the race’s cancellation. Read more in our report on Rivola’s mixed emotions after the Australian MotoGP cancellation.
A physical toll and Aprilia’s potential
Looking ahead, Rivola warned of the physical toll exacted by the intensified calendar and Sprint race format, which has fueled numerous injuries. This reality painfully resonates with Martin’s battered season.
Yet Rivola remains confident in Aprilia’s RS-GP, asserting it is now capable of challenging Ducati on the toughest circuits. The critical factor is to enable Martin, their main title contender, to capitalize on this potential.
Rivola’s blunt verdict is clear: Martin’s Sepang comeback is “very, very difficult,” but above all, Aprilia seeks a dignified conclusion to their partnership, one defined by resilience, not injury. The Australian GP cancellation preserved Martin’s championship chances without solving his medical challenges.
Aprilia has engineered a race-winning machine, but Rivola’s ultimate hope is to see Martin finish this campaign upright on the bike, not in a medical facility. “Our story deserves a better ending,” he concluded. For the latest on his rehabilitation, see how Martin follows a strict recovery plan to attempt a Sepang return.
