Why Isn't Jorge Martin Winning With Aprilia? Explained

If you thought Jorge Martin’s switch to Aprilia would mean instant podiums and race wins, think again. The 2025 MotoGP season turned into a tough test for the one-time world champion, marked by injuries and a bike that’s still finding its edge. Martin himself puts it straight: he’s missing just five or six tenths of a second to fight for victories on the RS-GP.

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Jorge Martin’s 2025 Campaign

Jorge Martin’s year with the factory Aprilia squad was far from smooth. He only raced in seven of the 22 rounds due to four major injuries that sidelined him time and again. His best result came at the Hungarian Grand Prix in August, where he grabbed fourth place and showed real promise. But momentum slipped away after a crash at the Japanese Grand Prix fractured his shoulder, forcing him out until the Valencia finale.

So, What’s Wrong?

Back on track for the season-ending race and post-race test, Jorge Martin got a clearer picture of the bike’s limits. Physically, he’s on the mend, but pain lingers in his ribs, back, collarbone, and shoulders. “To ride like this is really difficult,” he admitted. Still, hitting consistent 1m30s laps felt like a win given his condition. He believes the Aprilia needs tweaks to close that gap. “For sure, I think there is six, five tenths to win. So, I just need to understand a bit more the bike, and as soon as I feel 100% with my body I can take more risk.”

Jorge Martin learned not to overpush an unfamiliar machine. “Sometimes I didn’t know the bike, and I was trying to push more than what I had to. And that’s why I crashed,” he reflected after Valencia, where he avoided the top 10 but stayed smart. This shift in mindset, doing just what the bike demands, could be key heading into 2026.

Looking ahead, 2026 brings aero upgrades and possible engine tweaks for Aprilia. Jorge Martin wants to avoid past mistakes, focusing on steady progress. “This is what I have to focus on and think in this way,” he said. If he nails recovery and bike mastery, expect the Spaniard back in the win hunt soon. MotoGP’s drama never sleeps; Martin’s story is just heating up.