Despite suffering a right radius fracture in Australia, Jorge Martin is set to take to the track at the Malaysian GP to keep his 2026 MotoGP championship hopes alive.
Martin’s title campaign took a dramatic hit during Saturday’s Sprint race at Phillip Island. On Lap 8, while locked in a tense battle for the lead with Marc Marquez, the Aprilia rider suffered a heavy crash at Turn 8 and had to be evacuated on a stretcher.
“It’s the worst corner to crash in Phillip Island,” Martin explained on Thursday in Sepang. “I was lucky because I only broke my wrist. It’s a pity because we were having a great fight. I was enjoying it.”
Medical evaluations confirmed a non-displaced fracture of the right radius. Rather than flying back to Spain for surgery, the Spaniard opted for non-surgical treatment to give himself a chance of competing in Round 19.
“The injury was better than expected after a huge crash,” Aprilia team principal Paolo Bonora explained. “We thought it’d be worse. His staff did an incredible job following the treatment and pushing to have him treated as much as possible in Kuala Lumpur.”
Trailing Marquez by a slim 10-point margin, Martin decided that sitting out was not an option. Although Sunday’s cancelled Grand Prix in Australia spared his point tally, every single point across the remaining rounds is now critical.
“If I weren’t in the fight for the championship, I would’ve put my arm in a cast and waited longer,” he admitted. “I tried to do everything I could in Kuala Lumpur to recover faster. But the process of bone recovery is what it is. I will ride with a broken wrist.”
“In Portimao I expect to feel good and ride in a normal way. But it is certain that Malaysia and Qatar are a question mark due to my condition. It’s not over until it’s over, anything can happen. If I’m competitive, I’m still in the fight. If I’m not, I can forget about the championship.”
Jorge Martin fit to race in Sepang
Arriving at the Sepang paddock on Thursday with a splint on his right arm, Martin underwent mandatory tests and was officially declared fit to race.
“For the championship fight, it’s better that Jorge is here,” championship rival Marc Marquez rejoiced on Thursday in Sepang. “I believe that with the new protocols we have implemented after my injury in Jerez, if they declared him fit, then it means that he’s able to ride. If he’s able to ride, then it means he’ll be at a very high level because the adrenaline is the best painkiller”
Martin will test his physical limits during Friday’s Free Practice 1 before deciding whether to proceed with the remainder of the Grand Prix weekend.
“The first step is to be fit,” Martin noted. “Riding is another big one. I will decide whether or not to continue after that, but I will try to be competitive.
“So far, I don’t really know [what my physical condition is like], so I want to check on the bike. I am improving every day. My mobility and my strength are better. I will continue trying until I see whether I am able to do it or not. I don’t feel I can be as competitive as I was in Australia.”
While a radius fracture typically requires six weeks of recovery for a non-athlete, Martin will take the track less than a week after his crash.
“He’s a fighter because it happened only 6 days ago,” Bonora applauded. “We’re not pushing him to force anything. At least tomorrow he will test. During the morning session it will likely be wet, so he’ll try in a soft way without taking any risks obviously. Following the FP1, he will undergo more tests in the medical centre to check that he’s okay and see if he can continue the weekend.”
The Sepang track’s heavy braking zones into Turn 1 and Turn 15, coupled with its two long straights, will place intense physical demand on the right wrist for throttle control and front braking. Nevertheless, Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi expects a strong showing if Martin can manage the discomfort.
“It’s not easy because everyone is super quick. Obviously Marc, but Jorge as well – don’t forget about him,” Bezzecchi claimed. “I’m happy that he’s here. Obviously, we’ve both been in similar situations, so for sure in the same situation we would’ve tried. It’s good to have him here. If he feels good, he’ll be fast for sure.”
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