Jorge Martin Ruled Out of Sepang Test 

Reigning champion, Jorge Martin, had a shocking start to his title defence, heading back to Spain for surgery on his hand and foot after a difficult first race.

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Aprilia factory rider Jorge Martin has been officially ruled out of the remainder of the Sepang MotoGP Test after suffering multiple fractures in a massive high-side crash on Thursday. The reigning world champion was thrown off his 2025 Aprilia RS-GP at Turn 2 while navigating the left-hander, landing hard on the asphalt and sustaining fractures to his right hand and left foot.

Aprilia confirmed in a statement that the crash was not caused by rider error or a mechanical issue with the bike. Martin remained conscious throughout the incident and was initially evaluated at the circuit’s medical centre before being transferred to the Aurelius Hospital in Nilai, near the Sepang International Circuit. Medical scans, including a CT scan and MRI, revealed no additional injuries beyond the fractures.

This marked Martin’s second crash of the day, with the first being a minor incident. However, the severity of the high side has forced him to withdraw from the final two days of testing. He will return to Europe to undergo surgery on his right hand and left foot. 

Aprilia’s statement detailed the injuries, stating: “Jorge Martin suffered a closed fracture of the 5th metacarpal head of the right hand and a closed fracture of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th metatarsals of the left foot. He will stay in hospital overnight and tomorrow he will fly back to Europe to undergo surgery on both his right hand and left foot.”

Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola expressed concern over the incident, emphasizing that the crash occurred without an apparent cause. “The crash happened for apparently no reason, with no mistake on [Martin’s] side and no mistake on the bike’s side. The tyres were at the right temperature and right pressure. We have no explanation,” Rivola said. 

He also sought further information from Michelin regarding the history of the tyres used during the session, noting that the medium compound tyre’s asymmetric design may have played a role.

Martin’s withdrawal adds to Aprilia’s woes at the Sepang Test, as Trackhouse Racing’s Raul Fernandez also left the test early after suffering a fractured metacarpal in his left hand during a crash on Wednesday morning. Fernandez is set to undergo surgery in Barcelona.

The Sepang Test is a critical opportunity for teams and riders to prepare for the 2025 MotoGP season, and Martin’s absence is a significant setback for Aprilia. The team will now focus on gathering data with their remaining riders while Martin begins his recovery process. 

The reigning champion’s fitness and readiness for the upcoming season will be closely monitored as the MotoGP paddock looks ahead to the next official test in Buriram, Thailand, and the season opener on February 28.