Jorge Martin to Miss Thailand MotoGP Following New Injury

Jorge Martin will miss the Thai Grand Prix after fracturing his left hand during training. This injury compounds earlier setbacks from a crash at Sepang that required surgery. Lorenzo Savadori is set to replace him. Martin’s absence marks the first time since 1984 that a reigning champion has not started the following season.

Jorge Martin, the reigning MotoGP world champion, is set to miss the upcoming Thai Grand Prix due to a new injury sustained during training on Monday. This marks another setback for Martin, who had previously suffered multiple fractures from a crash at the Sepang test, forcing him to miss the pre-season period after undergoing surgery shortly thereafter.

April’s racing team had hoped Martin would recover sufficiently to compete in the season-opening race in Buriram this weekend. However, his hopes were dashed when he fractured his left hand in training. Reports indicate that he will require surgery for this recent injury, with no specified timeline for his recovery currently available from his team.

As a result of Martin’s absence, Lorenzo Savadori, the test rider for Aprilia, is expected to take his place in the competition. It is noteworthy that this will be the first occasion since 1984 that a reigning champion has not started the following season, as highlighted by historical racing records.

In previous seasons, Martin had established himself as a formidable competitor. He made headlines in 2024 by being the first rider from an independent team in the modern MotoGP era to clinch the world title. His anticipated move to Ducati’s factory team for 2025 was altered due to a public rejection by Marc Marquez, leading him to sign a two-year deal with Aprilia instead.

Though he had already indicated that he would not contend for the championship in 2025 as he adjusted to the Aprilia RS-GP, this latest injury further complicates his situation. Aprilia has not yet made any official statements regarding the situation, and the story continues to develop, leaving many questions unanswered regarding Martin’s future racing plans.

In conclusion, Jorge Martin will miss the Thai MotoGP due to a training injury exacerbating an already challenging season. After undergoing surgery for earlier injuries, Martin faced additional setbacks, as Aprilia prepared to remedy his absence on the track. This unprecedented occurrence for a reigning champion underscores the precarious nature of motorsport, especially amidst ongoing adaptation to new equipment and teams.

Original Source: www.crash.net