Jorge Martin set to return for Grand Prix Valencia finale after injury-plagued season with double long-lap penalty
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Published 13/11/2025 at 19:48 GMT
Team Aprilia have confirmed 2024 world champion Jorge Martin will make his long-awaited return at Grand Prix Valencia, having been declared fit for the season finale. Martin has been sidelined since sustaining a displaced collarbone fracture in a collision with team-mate Marco Bezzecchi at the Japanese Grand Prix. The Spaniard faces a double long-lap penalty for the Motegi incident.
Aprilia 'celebrating like a pole position' as Martin comes eighth in GP San Marino practice
Video credit: TNT Sports
Last year's MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin will return to action at this weekend's Grand Prix Valencia after being declared fit for the season finale, his Aprilia team have confirmed.
The 27-year-old Spaniard has endured a nightmare title defence, completing only four races after injuries from pre-season testing and crashes in Qatar and Japan derailed his campaign.
Martin suffered a collapsed lung and bruised ribs in Qatar, before a collision with team-mate Marco Bezzecchi at the Japanese Grand Prix left him needing collarbone surgery and sidelined for several rounds.
As Martin recovered, Ducati’s Marc Marquez went on to claim the 2025 title. With the defending champion out, Aprilia shifted their focus to Bezzecchi, who is on course to secure third place in the championship behind the Marquez brothers – Marc and Gresini Racing’s Alex.
"I can’t wait to be back with the team. I'm really happy with the way the team is working and I'd like to congratulate Aprilia and Marco on the results they've achieved," Martin said earlier this week.
"My goal now is to start preparing in the best possible way for next season. Now, it doesn't make sense to talk about results.
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'No injuries' - Martin able to race in Hungary but says he feels 'pain everywhere' after crash
Video credit: TNT Sports
"The important thing is to put in the laps and gather information. I want to grow together with the team so that we're ready for 2026."
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- Marquez battles with Acosta to win Portugal Grand Prix Sprint, Bezzecchi third
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'Collarbone injury worse than we expected'
Martin's return follows a turbulent year that also saw him involved in a contract dispute with Aprilia after announcing plans to leave before later recommitting to the team.
Speaking at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit on Thursday, the 2024 world champion admitted the injury sustained in the Tissot Sprint at Motegi was "worse than expected" and that he had not been able to do any bike training ahead of his comeback.
"I understood straight away that the collarbone was broken, but then, getting into the injury, it was much worse than we expected," he said.
"The first day, I was counting and said, 'Maybe in Australia I can be back'. So, it was just two races [off]. But then I understood the injury was much worse than expected, with ligaments and muscles.
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Highlights: Bezzecchi secures win at Portugal Grand Prix as Marquez takes second place
Video credit: TNT Sports
"It was quite tough, even to be here in Valencia. I still haven't ridden a bike; just the scooter from the paddock. So, it will be a nice test tomorrow to go again on a MotoGP bike."
If he starts Sunday's race, Martin will serve a double long-lap penalty for the collision with Bezzecchi in Japan.
Even without the penalty, he says expectations are low heading into the weekend, describing the situation as "quite strange" given his strong record at the Valencia circuit.
"I mean, I did podiums for the last eight of nine years, I think," he added. "So, it's one of my best tracks, but not this time.
"It's strange to come to a race knowing you won't be performing at your 100%.
"It's quite strange, but I will try to make laps with no pressure, try to make my long laps, and then get ready for Tuesday, because it will be an important day to try new parts and get ready for next season."
KTM Tech3's Maverick Vinales and Trackhouse Racing's Raul Fernandez have also been declared fit to race after recovering from injuries.
Watch and stream every race of the 2025 MotoGP season live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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