MotoGP: Jorge Martin in for 'tough weekend' at Grand Prix Qatar after showing signs of discomfort during practice - 'He's going to struggle'

Jorge Martin showed signs of pain in his wrist during the opening practice session of the Grand Prix of Qatar on Friday - live on TNT Sports and discovery+. After just five laps on his return from injury, the reigning champion stopped in the pits and did some exercises to relieve what looked like some discomfort. On TNT Sports commentary, Sylvain Guintoli predicted a tough weekend ahead.

'He's going to struggle' - Martin deals with wrist pain on return during Qatar practice

Video credit: TNT Sports

Sylvain Guintoli feels that reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Martin is in for a "tough weekend" in Qatar after showing signs of discomfort during Friday's practice session.

Having hit the tarmac for the first time this season after returning from a lengthy injury spell, the Spaniard headed to the pits with arm pump after just five laps.

Arm pump has been described as the "onset of severe pain within minutes of riding", which is exactly what Martin looked to suffer early in the session.

Grand Prix Australia

Marc Marquez could return for Valencia finale but Ducati 'don't want to rush' injury comeback

17/10/2025 at 09:43

"There you go, arm pump," TNT Sports expert Neil Hodgson pointed out.

"He’s having to work even harder with the opposite hand. That’s what happens. How interesting is that? If he’s got arm pump after five laps, he’s going to struggle."

Martin has endured hand and foot injuries in 2025, fracturing both during the Sepang test in pre-season. He flew off his bike twice in Malaysia, needing surgery in Barcelona later that week.

His start to life at Aprilia went from bad to worse ahead of the season opener in Thailand, as he again crashed during training. This time, an injury to his left hand needed surgery.

Commentator Gavin Emmett said in Qatar: "He’s still recovering and using [his wrist] for the first time, whether it’s scar tissue or other bits and pieces he’s using. His body has had a workout."

Guintoli added: "At one point, he had both hands and both feet injured. That’s what happens when you’ve not ridden those bikes for a while as well. That adds up to the injury situation.

"So you overcompensate for the side of the body that’s not injured, and you haven’t been on that bike for ages, so you’re more tense, more tired more quickly, and you end up having arm pump after four, five laps."

Martin's struggles looked to continue as the practice session went on, proving the TNT Sports commentary team right.

"It still looks unnatural for him," Hodgson said, while Guintoli added: "He’ll be in such pain right now, this injury is horrendous. Such a long one to recover from."

After the race, Emmett said Martin's outing was "as good as he could have hoped for" as the 27-year-old immediately applied ice to his wrist following the session.

Martin steps on to the track for the first time this season in Qatar to begin title defence

Video credit: TNT Sports

"It normally gets worse and worse," Guintoli explained. "Inflammation, that’s just the reality. He’ll be putting pressure on it that he has not done so far. A tough weekend for Martin ahead."

Hodgson said: "Some injuries work their way into the weekend, this one won’t do, will it?"

How to watch Grand Prix Qatar on TNT Sports and discovery+

TNT Sports is the home of MotoGP after agreeing a new multi-year deal to broadcast the championship in the UK and Ireland.

TNT Sports is available across all major TV platforms, offering a line-up of up to four TV channels (TNT Sports 1, TNT Sports 2, TNT Sports 3, TNT Sports 4), and up to six digital or red-button channels (TNT Sports 5 to 10), and TNT Sports Ultimate plus TNT Sports Box Office HD.

You can subscribe to TNT Sports through discovery+, BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

Grand Prix Australia

Aprilia rider Martin ruled out of Grand Prix Australia after collarbone surgery

03/10/2025 at 11:34

Grand Prix San Marino

Why did Aprilia and Martin celebrate eighth in practice 'like pole position?'

12/09/2025 at 17:11

Thoughts?