Jorge Martin admits that his double podium from the Brazilian MotoGP weekend ‘feels like a victory’ after a year-long struggle with injuries.
Martin earned his first podiums with Aprilia at Goiania, taking third in the Sprint and a second place in Sunday’s main race.
The results from the weekend saw Martin rise to second in the championship behind team-mate Marco Bezzecchi, who dominated the grand prix.
After injuries saw him miss 15 of the 22 races in 2025, Martin suggested he is looking ahead to a good season with Aprilia.
“It feels really good after everything I’ve been through,” Martin said via GPOne.
“Obviously, last year is behind us now, but I can learn a lot from it.
“For me, it was like jumping from 2024 to 2026, as if 2025 never existed.
“The truth is, my approach to racing and training is very similar to what it was in 2024.”
Despite making clear progress, Martin admitted he still needs to find a bit more performance from his Aprilia.
However, the fact he was in the fight for podiums and pole positions shows enough progress from last year.
“It’s clear that I’m still missing something with the bike, but every time I get on the track, I understand more and more what I need to ride it and what I need from the bike and the team to help me.
“Clearly, I lost a bit of feeling after the crash in qualifying, but crashing when you’re fighting for pole is the most normal thing in the world.
“The feeling is always good. It was a tough race, but I managed to secure a podium finish that feels like a victory.”
Jorge Martin ‘at the same level’ as MotoGP title-winning season
Although Martin still felt like he had improvements to make aboard his RSGP machinery, the Spaniard admitted he’s already back at the level he was when he won the title.
The 28-year-old won his maiden premier class title a year before his switch to Aprilia, defeating Francesco Bagnaia in the final round at the Solidarity Grand Prix.
The 2024 World Champion also emphasised he is running different machinery to his title winning campaign, so needs “a bit more time” to show his potential.
“From a riding standpoint, I think I’m at the same level, if not better than I was in 2024,” Martin said.
“I have a different bike, though, so I need a bit more time.
“Physically, in Thailand I was at 85%, and now I’m now at 95%. I’m missing the final detail, which I think I’ll get in Jerez or in Europe.
“It’s a matter of time. My feeling with the bike is also improving, and bit by bit I’m closing in on Bezzecchi, who is sort of my benchmark.”
Even if he doesn’t arrive at Jerez with full fitness, Martin admitted he is doing everything he can to be back fighting for “great results”.
“Maybe I’ll get to Jerez and still be a little short, but I’m working 100% every day and doing everything I can to improve daily and to be in shape to race and in the end, results are the consequence of a job well done.
“I don’t know when I’ll be at 100%, whether it’ll be in Jerez, Le Mans, or Mugello, but I’ll get back to 100%.
“When that happens, I’ll have to be ready to start fighting for great results.”
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