Latest news with #Aprilia
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
MotoGP champion Martin intends to leave Aprilia before 2026 season
MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin announced his intention to leave Aprilia ahead of the 2026 season on Thursday, a week after the Italian team said they expected the Spaniard to honour the two-year contract he signed with them. The 27-year-old, who won his first MotoGP title last season with Pramac Racing, switched to Aprilia and has yet to score a point this year after seven rounds. Wrist and ankle injuries sustained in a pre-season crash ruled him out of the first three rounds before a crash in his first race in Qatar led to a collapsed lung and bruised ribs. "When I made the decision to change manufacturers last year, one of my premises was to have the possibility to test the bike in real circumstances and to understand the team and its working methodology," Martin said in a statement. "In this way I could feel comfortable signing for two years instead of one, and so we included that condition. "Faced with the situation of having to make a decision on a date that is established by contract, I have decided to exercise my right to release myself for the 2026 season." Aprilia said last week that they had not had any negotiations with Martin to change his contract while also warning other teams not to approach him. PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE Martin said he was taking control of his future as a professional athlete. "At no time have I ever breached the contract. When we signed it, I agreed with Aprilia that, if certain circumstances were not met, I reserved the right to decide my future for 2026," he added. "This was an essential condition for me to accept the contract proposal they offered me at that time." Without Martin, Aprilia have struggled for results but finally won a race this season when Marco Bezzecchi triumphed in the British Grand Prix on Sunday. After the victory, which came after race leader Fabio Quartararo retired with a technical issue, Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola said: "This is a message for Jorge, our bike can win." However, Martin remains unconvinced they can compete in the long run and will look for another manufacturer by the end of the season. Martin was in the running last year for a factory Ducati seat which went to six-times MotoGP champion Marc Marquez, who leads this year's championship with 196 points. Martin completed only 13 laps in pre-season testing and retired from the only race he competed in after the crash in Qatar. "Unfortunately, the circumstances that have occurred as a result of the crashes, although it is true that they do not affect what we agreed, have conditioned this phase," Martin said. While the door to Ducati may be closed and KTM are also struggling for results, Honda could offer him a seat, especially after Luca Marini sustained severe injuries in a testing crash. The Italian's contract runs out at the end of the season.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Straits Times
MotoGP champion Martin intends to leave Aprilia before 2026 season
MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin announced his intention to leave Aprilia ahead of the 2026 season on Thursday, a week after the Italian team said they expected the Spaniard to honour the two-year contract he signed with them. The 27-year-old, who won his first MotoGP title last season with Pramac Racing, switched to Aprilia and has yet to score a point this year after seven rounds. Wrist and ankle injuries sustained in a pre-season crash ruled him out of the first three rounds before a crash in his first race in Qatar led to a collapsed lung and bruised ribs. "When I made the decision to change manufacturers last year, one of my premises was to have the possibility to test the bike in real circumstances and to understand the team and its working methodology," Martin said in a statement. "In this way I could feel comfortable signing for two years instead of one, and so we included that condition. "Faced with the situation of having to make a decision on a date that is established by contract, I have decided to exercise my right to release myself for the 2026 season." Aprilia said last week that they had not had any negotiations with Martin to change his contract while also warning other teams not to approach him. PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE Martin said he was taking control of his future as a professional athlete. "At no time have I ever breached the contract. When we signed it, I agreed with Aprilia that, if certain circumstances were not met, I reserved the right to decide my future for 2026," he added. "This was an essential condition for me to accept the contract proposal they offered me at that time." Without Martin, Aprilia have struggled for results but finally won a race this season when Marco Bezzecchi triumphed in the British Grand Prix on Sunday. After the victory, which came after race leader Fabio Quartararo retired with a technical issue, Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola said: "This is a message for Jorge, our bike can win." However, Martin remains unconvinced they can compete in the long run and will look for another manufacturer by the end of the season. Martin was in the running last year for a factory Ducati seat which went to six-times MotoGP champion Marc Marquez, who leads this year's championship with 196 points. Martin completed only 13 laps in pre-season testing and retired from the only race he competed in after the crash in Qatar. "Unfortunately, the circumstances that have occurred as a result of the crashes, although it is true that they do not affect what we agreed, have conditioned this phase," Martin said. While the door to Ducati may be closed and KTM are also struggling for results, Honda could offer him a seat, especially after Luca Marini sustained severe injuries in a testing crash. The Italian's contract runs out at the end of the season. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
MotoGP champion Martin says he plans to leave Aprilia
MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin has announced his intention to leave Aprilia ahead of the 2026 season, although the Italian team are still expecting the Spaniard to honour the two-year contract he signed with them. Martin, who won his first MotoGP title last season with Pramac Racing, switched to Aprilia on a two-year deal, but the 27-year-old has yet to score a point this year after seven rounds. Wrist and ankle injuries sustained in a pre-season crash prevented him from competing in the first three rounds before a crash in his first race in Qatar led to a collapsed lung and bruised ribs which have kept him off the bike for weeks. "When I made the decision to change manufacturers last year, one of my premises was to have the possibility to test the bike in real circumstances and to understand the team and its working methodology," Martin said in a statement on Thursday. "In this way I could feel comfortable signing for two years instead of one, and so we included that condition. "Faced with the situation of having to make a decision on a date that is established by contract, I have decided to exercise my right to release myself for the 2026 season." Aprilia said last week that they had not had any negotiations with Martin to change his contract and allow for an early exit while also warning other teams not to approach him. The Italian outfit said they expected Martin to see out his contract until the end of 2026 but the 27-year-old said he was "taking control of my future as a professional athlete" and that there was no conflict. "At no time have I ever breached the contract. When we signed it, I agreed with Aprilia that, if certain circumstances were not met, I reserved the right to decide my future for 2026," he added. "This was an essential condition for me to accept the contract proposal they offered me at that time." Without Martin, Aprilia have struggled for results but finally won a race this season when Marco Bezzecchi triumphed in the British Grand Prix on Sunday. After the victory, which came after race leader Fabio Quartararo retired with a technical issue, Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola said: "This is a message for Jorge, our bike can win." However, Martin remains unconvinced they can compete in the long run and will look for another manufacturer by the end of the season. Martin was in the running last year for a factory Ducati seat which went to six-times MotoGP champion Marc Marquez, who leads this year's championship with 196 points. Martin completed only 13 laps in pre-season testing and retired from the only race he competed in after the crash in Qatar. "Unfortunately, the circumstances that have occurred as a result of the crashes, although it is true that they do not affect what we agreed, have conditioned this phase," Martin said. MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin has announced his intention to leave Aprilia ahead of the 2026 season, although the Italian team are still expecting the Spaniard to honour the two-year contract he signed with them. Martin, who won his first MotoGP title last season with Pramac Racing, switched to Aprilia on a two-year deal, but the 27-year-old has yet to score a point this year after seven rounds. Wrist and ankle injuries sustained in a pre-season crash prevented him from competing in the first three rounds before a crash in his first race in Qatar led to a collapsed lung and bruised ribs which have kept him off the bike for weeks. "When I made the decision to change manufacturers last year, one of my premises was to have the possibility to test the bike in real circumstances and to understand the team and its working methodology," Martin said in a statement on Thursday. "In this way I could feel comfortable signing for two years instead of one, and so we included that condition. "Faced with the situation of having to make a decision on a date that is established by contract, I have decided to exercise my right to release myself for the 2026 season." Aprilia said last week that they had not had any negotiations with Martin to change his contract and allow for an early exit while also warning other teams not to approach him. The Italian outfit said they expected Martin to see out his contract until the end of 2026 but the 27-year-old said he was "taking control of my future as a professional athlete" and that there was no conflict. "At no time have I ever breached the contract. When we signed it, I agreed with Aprilia that, if certain circumstances were not met, I reserved the right to decide my future for 2026," he added. "This was an essential condition for me to accept the contract proposal they offered me at that time." Without Martin, Aprilia have struggled for results but finally won a race this season when Marco Bezzecchi triumphed in the British Grand Prix on Sunday. After the victory, which came after race leader Fabio Quartararo retired with a technical issue, Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola said: "This is a message for Jorge, our bike can win." However, Martin remains unconvinced they can compete in the long run and will look for another manufacturer by the end of the season. Martin was in the running last year for a factory Ducati seat which went to six-times MotoGP champion Marc Marquez, who leads this year's championship with 196 points. Martin completed only 13 laps in pre-season testing and retired from the only race he competed in after the crash in Qatar. "Unfortunately, the circumstances that have occurred as a result of the crashes, although it is true that they do not affect what we agreed, have conditioned this phase," Martin said. MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin has announced his intention to leave Aprilia ahead of the 2026 season, although the Italian team are still expecting the Spaniard to honour the two-year contract he signed with them. Martin, who won his first MotoGP title last season with Pramac Racing, switched to Aprilia on a two-year deal, but the 27-year-old has yet to score a point this year after seven rounds. Wrist and ankle injuries sustained in a pre-season crash prevented him from competing in the first three rounds before a crash in his first race in Qatar led to a collapsed lung and bruised ribs which have kept him off the bike for weeks. "When I made the decision to change manufacturers last year, one of my premises was to have the possibility to test the bike in real circumstances and to understand the team and its working methodology," Martin said in a statement on Thursday. "In this way I could feel comfortable signing for two years instead of one, and so we included that condition. "Faced with the situation of having to make a decision on a date that is established by contract, I have decided to exercise my right to release myself for the 2026 season." Aprilia said last week that they had not had any negotiations with Martin to change his contract and allow for an early exit while also warning other teams not to approach him. The Italian outfit said they expected Martin to see out his contract until the end of 2026 but the 27-year-old said he was "taking control of my future as a professional athlete" and that there was no conflict. "At no time have I ever breached the contract. When we signed it, I agreed with Aprilia that, if certain circumstances were not met, I reserved the right to decide my future for 2026," he added. "This was an essential condition for me to accept the contract proposal they offered me at that time." Without Martin, Aprilia have struggled for results but finally won a race this season when Marco Bezzecchi triumphed in the British Grand Prix on Sunday. After the victory, which came after race leader Fabio Quartararo retired with a technical issue, Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola said: "This is a message for Jorge, our bike can win." However, Martin remains unconvinced they can compete in the long run and will look for another manufacturer by the end of the season. Martin was in the running last year for a factory Ducati seat which went to six-times MotoGP champion Marc Marquez, who leads this year's championship with 196 points. Martin completed only 13 laps in pre-season testing and retired from the only race he competed in after the crash in Qatar. "Unfortunately, the circumstances that have occurred as a result of the crashes, although it is true that they do not affect what we agreed, have conditioned this phase," Martin said. MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin has announced his intention to leave Aprilia ahead of the 2026 season, although the Italian team are still expecting the Spaniard to honour the two-year contract he signed with them. Martin, who won his first MotoGP title last season with Pramac Racing, switched to Aprilia on a two-year deal, but the 27-year-old has yet to score a point this year after seven rounds. Wrist and ankle injuries sustained in a pre-season crash prevented him from competing in the first three rounds before a crash in his first race in Qatar led to a collapsed lung and bruised ribs which have kept him off the bike for weeks. "When I made the decision to change manufacturers last year, one of my premises was to have the possibility to test the bike in real circumstances and to understand the team and its working methodology," Martin said in a statement on Thursday. "In this way I could feel comfortable signing for two years instead of one, and so we included that condition. "Faced with the situation of having to make a decision on a date that is established by contract, I have decided to exercise my right to release myself for the 2026 season." Aprilia said last week that they had not had any negotiations with Martin to change his contract and allow for an early exit while also warning other teams not to approach him. The Italian outfit said they expected Martin to see out his contract until the end of 2026 but the 27-year-old said he was "taking control of my future as a professional athlete" and that there was no conflict. "At no time have I ever breached the contract. When we signed it, I agreed with Aprilia that, if certain circumstances were not met, I reserved the right to decide my future for 2026," he added. "This was an essential condition for me to accept the contract proposal they offered me at that time." Without Martin, Aprilia have struggled for results but finally won a race this season when Marco Bezzecchi triumphed in the British Grand Prix on Sunday. After the victory, which came after race leader Fabio Quartararo retired with a technical issue, Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola said: "This is a message for Jorge, our bike can win." However, Martin remains unconvinced they can compete in the long run and will look for another manufacturer by the end of the season. Martin was in the running last year for a factory Ducati seat which went to six-times MotoGP champion Marc Marquez, who leads this year's championship with 196 points. Martin completed only 13 laps in pre-season testing and retired from the only race he competed in after the crash in Qatar. "Unfortunately, the circumstances that have occurred as a result of the crashes, although it is true that they do not affect what we agreed, have conditioned this phase," Martin said.
France 24
2 days ago
- Automotive
- France 24
MotoGP world champion Martin seeks Aprilia exit
The Spaniard won the 2024 title on Ducati's satellite Pramac bike, but left the Italian manufacturer after being overlooked in favour of Marc Marquez for the factory ride. With his title defence wrecked by injury, he has only managed to compete in Qatar so far this season, he believes a clause in his contract allows him to walk away at the end of the year. The clause he refers to gives him the option to quit if, after round six at Le Mans, he was no longer in contention for the world championship. After seven rounds, he has yet to register a point and is 196 behind leader Marc Marquez, ruling out any possibility of retaining the title. Aprilia, according to reports, argue that because of his litany of injuries, this clause is invalid and the two-year contract stands. Martin took to social media to state his case. "At no point have I breached the contract. "When we signed it, I agreed with Aprilia that if certain conditions were not met, I would reserve the right to decide my future for 2026. This was an essential condition for me to accept the contract offer at that time. "Faced with the need to make a decision by a date set in the contract, I have chosen to exercise my right to be released for the 2026 season. I've always done so with respect, clarity, and the sole intention of taking control of my future as a professional athlete. "Unfortunately, the circumstances caused by the crashes - while they do not alter the agreement - have influenced this phase. That's why I've always been open to dialogue with Aprilia about extending this evaluation period to a certain number of grand prix races starting from my return." His statement concluded that he had always been honest with Aprilia. "All I ask is for my wishes and the spirit of what we agreed upon to be respected," he wrote. Martin has endured a calamitous 2025. He was first injured during pre-season testing in Sepang and had to undergo surgery at the beginning of February. He then suffered another crash which necessitated another operation on his left hand at the end of February, just before the opening round of the season in Thailand. The 27-year-old finally made his first appearance of the season in Qatar only to slide out shortly after the halfway mark at Lusail suffering a hemopneumothorax -- broken ribs, and blood and air in the space around his lungs. © 2025 AFP
CNA
2 days ago
- Automotive
- CNA
MotoGP champion Martin intends to leave Aprilia before 2026 season
MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin announced his intention to leave Aprilia ahead of the 2026 season on Thursday, a week after the Italian team said they expected the Spaniard to honour the two-year contract he signed with them. The 27-year-old, who won his first MotoGP title last season with Pramac Racing, switched to Aprilia and has yet to score a point this year after seven rounds. Wrist and ankle injuries sustained in a pre-season crash ruled him out of the first three rounds before a crash in his first race in Qatar led to a collapsed lung and bruised ribs. "When I made the decision to change manufacturers last year, one of my premises was to have the possibility to test the bike in real circumstances and to understand the team and its working methodology," Martin said in a statement. "In this way I could feel comfortable signing for two years instead of one, and so we included that condition. "Faced with the situation of having to make a decision on a date that is established by contract, I have decided to exercise my right to release myself for the 2026 season." Aprilia said last week that they had not had any negotiations with Martin to change his contract while also warning other teams not to approach him. PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE Martin said he was taking control of his future as a professional athlete. "At no time have I ever breached the contract. When we signed it, I agreed with Aprilia that, if certain circumstances were not met, I reserved the right to decide my future for 2026," he added. "This was an essential condition for me to accept the contract proposal they offered me at that time." Without Martin, Aprilia have struggled for results but finally won a race this season when Marco Bezzecchi triumphed in the British Grand Prix on Sunday. After the victory, which came after race leader Fabio Quartararo retired with a technical issue, Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola said: "This is a message for Jorge, our bike can win." However, Martin remains unconvinced they can compete in the long run and will look for another manufacturer by the end of the season. Martin was in the running last year for a factory Ducati seat which went to six-times MotoGP champion Marc Marquez, who leads this year's championship with 196 points. Martin completed only 13 laps in pre-season testing and retired from the only race he competed in after the crash in Qatar. "Unfortunately, the circumstances that have occurred as a result of the crashes, although it is true that they do not affect what we agreed, have conditioned this phase," Martin said. While the door to Ducati may be closed and KTM are also struggling for results, Honda could offer him a seat, especially after Luca Marini sustained severe injuries in a testing crash. The Italian's contract runs out at the end of the season.
