Why Martin was the second-slowest Aprilia
Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / Getty Images
Points leader Jorge Martin expressed confidence that he can stay competitive in the final five races of the season, noting that earlier struggles are now behind him.
His Aprilia performance has been inconsistent throughout the year, featuring bright moments interspersed with weeks in which he fell off the pace.
Following his return from the summer break, he surged forward with a win and a second-place finish at Silverstone, then slipped back in Aragon and lost further ground in San Marino to an arm injury.
Nevertheless, Martin has recorded podiums in the last three Grand Prix events. His third-place result in Mandalika last Sunday enabled him to regain the lead over Ducati’s Marc Marquez.
This accomplishment allowed him to reclaim the lead position despite being unable to match the pace of his Aprilia teammates Marco Bezzecchi and Raul Fernandez, who topped and came second respectively.
“The champion is happy to have taken a third podium in a row with Aprilia; this is super nice,” the 2024 winner said. “I feel I am confident that I will be fast in all the races that remain.”
“Of course there were races where I thought I would struggle and indeed I did,” he added.
“Now, I don’t feel I will struggle anymore. I will be truly competitive and I’m fully focused on what lies ahead.”
Martin was the clear favourite to win the Mandalika sprint after both Bezzecoli and Fernandez were eliminated early, but a tyre‑pressure issue severely hampered his race, and a late lap loss ended any chance of victory. He ultimately finished fourth while title rival Marquez pulled off an unlikely win at one of Ducati’s weaker tracks.
Although disappointed by the missed sprint victory, Martin emphasized that he is only getting quicker as the season extends.
“I lost a major sprint opportunity, but this is racing — sometimes you win, sometimes you learn,” he stated.
“Sunday was a great day. We regained the lead. With five races left, each time I become faster I push harder toward the title.”
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