Aprilia's MotoGP Test Woes: Jorge Martin’s Injury, Michelin Dispute, and Future Developments Aprilia’s MotoGP pre-season testing at Sepang has been a rollercoaster of developments, with reigning champion Jorge Martin suffering a major crash that led to injuries and surgery. As Martin focuses on recovery, Aprilia’s test rider Lorenzo Savadori has vowed to refine the bike, ensuring Martin returns to an improved machine. Meanwhile, a controversy has erupted between Aprilia and Michelin regarding the cause of the crash, adding another layer of intrigue to the upcoming season. Jorge Martin’s Crash and Surgery During Wednesday’s testing session at Sepang, Martin endured a brutal highside crash that left him with fractures in his right hand and left foot . The impact was severe enough to shatter his helmet visor, but scans ruled out any additional injuries. The 27-year-old MotoGP champion returned to Barcelona, where Dr. Xavier Mir successfully operated on his right hand. “ Jorge Martin has undergone surgery for a displaced fracture of the head of the right fifth metacarpal, with reduction and percutaneous fixation using an intramedullary screw ,” Dr. Mir stated. “ Functional recovery will begin shortly, depending on his clinical progress .” Martin’s foot injuries, fractures in the third, fourth, and fifth metatarsals, did not require surgery. His participation in next week’s Thailand test and the season-opening Grand Prix at Chang International Circuit on February 28 remains uncertain. Lorenzo Savadori’s Testing Role With Martin sidelined, the responsibility of refining the Aprilia machine has fallen to teammate Marco Bezzecchi and test rider Lorenzo Savadori . Despite finishing 22nd out of 23 riders in the timesheets, Savadori emphasized that his focus is on development, not lap times. “ Continuing to develop the aerodynamics, we are following two roads, you need to test, test, test ,” said Savadori. “ It’s a hard job, but it’s important to make the best possible bike for Jorge when he returns. ” A narrower fairing was spotted on Savadori’s Aprilia, an evolution designed to improve aerodynamics. He also tested a new instrument aimed at better understanding wind behavior. Additionally, Savadori evaluated updated electronics under varying tire conditions, ensuring optimal traction control performance. “ We are not in time-attack mode! We aren’t here for performance, but to prepare the bike for Jorge, ” Savadori reiterated. Aprilia vs. Michelin: The Cause of the Crash A major controversy has emerged regarding the cause of Martin’s crash, with Michelin suggesting that an internal tire temperature issue was to blame . Michelin Motorsport’s two-wheel manager, Piero Taramasso, stated, “ Jorge, when he left the box for the last run before the crash, the tire temperature was 15 degrees lower than the optimal level. That is quite a lot and could explain the loss of grip. ” However, Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola strongly refuted Michelin’s analysis. “ Regarding the crash, I would like to make it clear that our data in no way confirms the statements made by Piero Taramasso ,” said Rivola. “ I believe rider safety should be the priority, and I have already suggested a meeting with all teams to address what is clearly a critical situation, as evidenced by the number of injuries .” Looking Ahead While Martin’s recovery timeline remains uncertain, Bezzecchi’s adaptation to Aprilia is progressing well. Savadori noted that Bezzecchi and he are aligned in their feedback, which should aid Aprilia’s development. With the season-opener in Thailand fast approaching, the focus remains on ensuring Martin’s fitness and preparing the Aprilia to compete at the highest level . Meanwhile, the debate over tire safety and performance continues to intensify, making this one of the most dramatic pre-seasons in recent memory.
