Why Martin 'sometimes feels like a rookie' on Aprilia’s MotoGP bike

Jorge Martin says he still 'sometimes feels like a rookie' on Aprilia’s MotoGP bike after a wretched first season with the team that was repeatedly derailed by injuries.

Martin managed to start just seven out of the 22 grands prix in 2025 after picking up four separate injuries during the year, including two in pre-season alone.

The disrupted campaign severely hampered his adaptation to the Aprilia RS-GP following his move from Pramac Ducati over the winter, and he ended the season with just one top-five finish to his name.

Tuesday’s Valencia test gave him a much-needed chance to get to grips with the bike in a low-pressure environment, as well as evaluate a new fairing and frame package that he could race in 2026.

But despite logging another 52 laps at Circuit Ricardo Tormo, Martin admitted that he was still struggling to fully feel at home on the RS-GP.

“To ride more and more with Aprilia is always good. I get confidence, but for me, sometimes I feel like a rookie with this bike, because it's difficult for me to understand different things or when we change things, like the fairing,” he explained.

“For me, the biggest step was the chassis, it was really good. Straight away we started with it and turning was more natural, it's more fitting to my style, so this is good. 

“And then in terms of fairing, it is difficult to understand. We still need to do some meetings to understand what to try in Malaysia, because we ended the season with a really good feeling and to improve that is really difficult.”

Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team

Photo by: Hazrin Yeob Men Shah / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Martin revealed that he is still having to fine tune the ergonomics of the Aprilia, a task riders normally complete in pre-season testing, as he works to rediscover his usual strength on corner exits.

“I tried different tanks, different footpegs, and also some positives from there, but it was a big confusion also for the riding style and we had a really short time to try, so we went back to standard. 

“But in Malaysia I will change the footpegs to help me to improve my style with the Aprilia, because still the drive is a big issue for me when I exit from the corners. Normally, it's my strongest point, but I cannot take out the full potential from the Aprilia, so it's where I want to really focus on.”

Martin did not complete Sunday’s Valencia GP, retiring from the race after 15 out of 27 laps, as part of a pre-agreed arrangement with Aprilia.

Although the 2024 champion was declared fit to return for the final round of the season, he was still feeling the effects of the collarbone injury he sustained in the Japanese Grand Prix.

Speaking after the Valencia test, the Spaniard outlined the challenges he faced after returning to a MotoGP bike just seven weeks on from his Motegi crash.

“I just need to recover. To not feel pain is the main thing,” he said. “When I ride, I still have pain on my back, on my ribs, on my hand, on my collarbone, on the shoulders. 

“To ride like this is really difficult. It was much more than what I expected.

“I still feel there are five-six tenths to pick to win, so I just need to understand the bike a bit more, and as soon as I feel 100% with my body, I can ride and take more risks.

“Also mentally, when you ride with this margin to not crash, you cannot take the confidence.”