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| Jorge Martin and Aprilia Contract Dispute Heats Up: Aleix Espargaro Calls the MotoGP Rider Transfer Drama “Very Sad” for Both Sides. |
The contract conflict between Jorge Martin and Aprilia Racing is becoming one of the most talked-about stories in the MotoGP paddock. Aleix Espargaro, a close friend of Martin and a key figure in his move to Aprilia, has described the situation as “very sad from both sides” as the reigning MotoGP world champion’s future remains uncertain.
Espargaro, who was instrumental in helping Jorge Martin sign with Aprilia for the 2025 season, shared his thoughts at the end of the Dutch Grand Prix weekend. Martin’s journey with Aprilia has been rocky from the start—he has only made one race appearance due to three separate injury incidents, two of which happened while riding the RS-GP and another during training.
Now, Martin’s status for the 2026 MotoGP season is at the center of a legal and contractual tug-of-war.
Jorge Martin’s Team Says He’s Free, Aprilia Disagrees
Martin’s manager, Albert Valera, claims that a performance-based clause in the contract has been triggered, making Martin a free agent for the 2026 season. However, Aprilia disputes that claim, insisting that Martin is still under contract through the end of 2026.
Adding fuel to the fire, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta has taken Aprilia’s side, stating that Martin is not allowed to race for another MotoGP team until the contractual issue is resolved—either through mutual agreement or a court ruling.
Espargaro: “Why Keep a Rider Who Doesn’t Want to Stay?”
While substituting for the injured Luca Marini at HRC in Assen, Espargaro acknowledged how tough the situation is for both Martin and Aprilia.
“This is really hard. Very, very sad from both sides,” Espargaro said.
“I understand both perspectives… If the clause allows him to leave and he doesn’t want to stay, I don’t understand why the other side would want to hold on to someone who doesn’t want to be there. But of course, I also see how difficult this must be for both parties.”
Espargaro praised Martin’s manager Valera as “brilliant” and admitted that the outcome of the dispute will be hard to predict.
Could Martin Join Honda in 2026? Espargaro Might Play a Bigger Role
The story gets more complicated given Espargaro’s current role as a test and development rider for Honda, which is believed to be Martin’s top alternative if he departs from Aprilia.
Valera has confirmed that Honda is one of the possible destinations, and HRC has publicly expressed interest in signing Jorge Martin for the 2026 MotoGP season.
Aprilia Prepared for Legal Battle, Martin Could Be Sidelined in 2026
Despite the tension, Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola insists that retaining Martin remains the team's priority. However, he also confirmed that Aprilia is ready to defend its position in court if needed.
That could be bad news for Martin. A long legal process could leave him sidelined for the entire 2026 season if no resolution is reached quickly.
Adding more complexity, Aprilia now has less pressure to rush the matter. Marco Bezzecchi, a new RS-GP race winner, has already stepped up as a potential new team leader. Most MotoGP teams have already secured their rider lineups through 2026, which limits Martin’s options if the conflict drags on.
When Will Jorge Martin Return to the Track?
Martin has missed 9 out of the 10 races so far in 2025. His earliest possible return is targeted for the Czech Grand Prix on July 19–21, but Aprilia has said that any comeback decision will depend on his next medical evaluation.
As part of his recovery, Martin recently took a step toward a full MotoGP return by testing a Superbike in Barcelona. While that’s a positive sign, his competitive future remains uncertain.
