Jorge Martin has been declared fit to participate in Free Practice 1 at the Qatar Grand Prix on Friday, offering the Aprilia rider a slender opportunity to keep his championship aspirations alive.
Martin fractured his wrist at last month’s Australian Grand Prix, and persistent discomfort compelled him to withdraw from an attempted return at the Malaysian Grand Prix last weekend. Following a brief recovery period in Spain, the championship challenger will test his fitness at Losail, though his participation beyond the opening session remains contingent on a further MotoGP medical evaluation.
With three rounds remaining, Martin faces a 44-point deficit to Marc Marquez, whose eighth premier-class title could be secured as early as Sunday should he extend his advantage by 30 points.
Elsewhere, two Spanish riders have received full clearance for the weekend. Gresini Ducati’s Fermin Aldeguer returns after a hand fracture sustained in Indonesia, while Trackhouse Aprilia’s Raul Fernandez has been passed fit following the finger injury he suffered at the same event. Fernandez sat out both the Australian and Malaysian rounds after limited running.
Both Fernandez and Aldeguer have been in the injury wars this year. This first-corner incident at Balaton Park was a lowlight for each of them
Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / Getty Images
A team statement confirmed: “Raul Fernandez has completed the medical assessment on his right index finger which was fractured in the Indonesia Sprint race, conducted by the Championship medical team at Lusail International Circuit and has been declared fit to ride at the Grand Prix of Qatar.”
Alex Marquez will be absent from the Gresini garage after opting for surgery on the right collarbone he broke at Barcelona in May. Iker Lecuona, who substituted for Aldeguer in Australia and Malaysia, will move across the garage to pilot Marquez’s Ducati for the weekend.
