Ducati boss Davide Tardozzi says the manufacturer will decline Aprilia’s request to allow Jorge Martin to test MotoGP machinery before his injury return.
The 2024 world champion revealed last week he was hoping to be able to test the RS-GP ahead of his return to action as he missed the entirety of pre-season through injury.
Aprilia boss Massimo Rivola has entered discussions with other teams about a potential test, and he expects three of the four manufacturers will agree.
However, Tardozzi suggested Ducati would decline any opportunity for a spontaneous request, citing the lack of test opportunity for Enea Bastianini in 2023 as a reason for this.
“We faced the same problem with Enea [Bastianini], but nobody gave us the opportunity to let him test,” Tardozzi said via Autosport.
Despite blocking a potential test for Martin, the Ducati team manager admitted he would support a potential rule change for next season.
Tardozzi added: “I think it could be a good idea for the future, there is a good opportunity to change the rules for next year.
“[But] when Jorge [Martin] recovers, he will be one of our big rivals. We know Jorge very well and we know he will be one of the guys that will fight with us for victories.”
Ducati claimed in a statement it does not yet have an official request to which to respond, stating: “Ducati’s position is very clear: we are waiting for news from the Motorcycle Sports Manufacturers Association and when something official is said, we will evaluate it.”
Martin has missed the first two rounds of the season following his injury at the preseason test.
The Spanish rider also ruled out a return at the season’s third round in Austin on the 29-30 March, suggesting his first chance of a return will be in Qatar in April.
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