Aprilia: Jorge Martin's accident during testing not caused by mechanical failure or rider error

"An unfortunate accident occurred seemingly without cause…"

Aprilia's CEO, Massimo Rivola, has stated that neither the motorcycle nor Jorge Martin was at fault for the crash that may have prematurely concluded Martin's MotoGP pre-season preparations.

During the first day of trials at Sepang on Wednesday, the current world titleholder suffered two accidents, the latter at Turn 2 being a severe highside crash that resulted in numerous broken bones.

Martin is set to stay overnight in the hospital before he heads back to Europe for surgery, casting uncertainty on his ability to take part in the upcoming Buriram test scheduled for next week.

Rivola states that Aprilia's analysis indicated Martin's motorcycle was functioning normally and he wasn't accelerating during the incident, with his tires also being within the optimal operating range.

According to Rivola, the accident occurred while using the same set of tires, but he refrained from pointing fingers at Michelin.

In a troubling turn of events, @88jorgemartin experienced a severe highside crash shortly after debuting with the prestigious number 1 plate. He is currently in the hospital for evaluations related to pain in his left foot and right hand. Further information will be provided as it becomes available. Our thoughts are with the reigning World Champion during this difficult time 💪#MotoGP pic.twitter.com/2UQtHKOq1w

"Clearly, we're facing an issue here," Rivola remarked.

"A disastrous accident occurred seemingly without cause, with neither the motorcycle nor the rider at fault."

Inquired about the similarities between Martin's two accidents, he noted, "What's fascinating is that they occurred on the same set of tires.

The initial one was positioned to the right, while the subsequent one was found on the left.

"However, the medium tire has an uneven design. Thus, when it's suggested that the medium isn't the top choice for the right side, it implies that upon turning right, the medium tire should exhibit more softness on that side."

"I'll entrust you with gathering further details."

Rivola has announced that for the remaining duration of the test, test rider Lorenzo Savadori will be taking over the bike. He also acknowledges that Martin's initial significant day of testing on the RS-GP 2025 might not occur until the first free practice session at the Thailand Grand Prix.

"He explained that the procedure involves spending 24 hours in the hospital as a standard protocol."

"He will be discharged from the hospital tomorrow. Following his release, he plans to travel to Europe the next day for his surgical procedure."

"Afterward, we'll monitor the body's response and healing process. The truly encouraging update is that there's no concussion, which honestly is the most crucial aspect."

"Today, we feel fortunate to have witnessed the crash. Following this, we are assured of his participation in the first race."

"We witnessed Jorge, along with numerous other cyclists, performing wonders, so it's plausible to anticipate him in Thailand.

"I believe that when we're in Thailand, we'll also take Sava along as a precaution for additional testing, though it's expected to be challenging."

"It's possible that Martin's initial experience on the 25 bike might occur during FP1."

Martin wasn't the sole Aprilia racer sidelined by injury during the test, since Trackhouse's Raul Fernandez also experienced a crash that resulted in a fractured left hand.

Trackhouse team leader Davide Brivio described Fernandez's crash as "somewhat peculiar," noting that he wasn't exerting much effort at the time.

Comments offered by Peter McLaren, Editor at Crash MotoGP

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Sepang MotoGP Test 2025 – Day 2 Results (Thursday)

Here are the lap times recorded by 12 PM on the second day of the official MotoGP test in Sepang for the year 2025.

Regular updates on results every hour…

Text:

^X Rider has moved up X spots compared to the past hour.

= The rider remains in the same position as they were in the last hour.

X Rider has dropped X spots compared to the last hour.

Quickest time on the first day:

Fabio Quartararo from Yamaha recorded a lap time of 1 minute and 57

Quickest time recorded in a Shakedown Test

Fabio Quartararo from Yamaha recorded a time of 1 minute and 57.794 seconds on the third day.

Official records from the Sepang MotoGP:

Fastest lap: Francesco Bagnaia on a Ducati with a time of 1 minute 56.337 seconds (2024)

Quickest lap in the race: Alex Marquez on a Ducati with a time of 1 minute and 58.979 seconds (2023)

Following a three-day preliminary session for newcomers, official test riders, and racers from Yamaha and Honda, the Sepang MotoGP Test is set to take place from Wednesday to Friday in Malaysia.

The first day was tough as Jorge Martin, Fabio di Giannantonio, and Raul Fernandez were all sidelined due to injuries. Meanwhile, Fabio Quartararo, who led the Shakedown, set the fastest time for Yamaha, outperforming Marc Marquez, the recent addition to the factory Ducati team.

Following the Sepang session, there will be just one additional official test scheduled at Buriram, set to take place from February 12 to 13, before the commencement of the Thai season on February 28.

The engine specifications for Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia will remain unchanged starting from the Thai Grand Prix and continuing through the end of 2026. This decision aims to lower development expenses in preparation for the upcoming 850cc era set to begin in 2027.

Due to their D concession status, Honda and Yamaha are allowed to keep working on their engine development.

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Peter, who has spent two decades in the paddock, has witnessed Valentino Rossi's career both begin and end. He is currently deeply involved in covering Suzuki's departure and Marc Marquez's struggles with injuries.

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2025 Sepang MotoGP Official Test – Day 2: LIVE Coverage

Stay tuned for real-time updates from the second day of the 2025 Sepang MotoGP official test, happening on Thursday. Following a challenging first day that left Jorge Martin, Fabio di Giannantonio, and Raul Fernandez injured, the second day of testing kicked off at 10 a.m.

On the first day, Fabio Quartararo from Yamaha led the field, while Marc Marquez, who recently joined the factory Ducati team, followed closely behind.

There are only five days allocated for official pre-season testing before the 2025 MotoGP season kicks off in Thailand on February 28. These test days are divided into three days at Sepang and two days at Buriram.

The testing session at Sepang is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., after which practice starts will occur.

Francesco Bagnaia has experienced an accident at the last corner, Turn 15. Fortunately, the rider is unharmed.

Lap times recorded at 11 a.m. during the official MotoGP test at Sepang, Day

(Prior to Morbidelli clocking in a time of 1 minute and 57.210 seconds)

At 11:04 am, Franco Morbidelli overtakes his previous Yamaha teammate, Quartararo, to lead the timing chart on his GP24.

Fabio di Giannantonio, who shares the VR46 team with Morbidelli and rides the GP25, is not present today because he injured his collarbone on Wednesday.

Details from the Aprilia factory team regarding their plans for day 2 of testing, during which Jorge Martin, who is injured, will not be present:

Today's main objective is to evaluate some new components that are set to be implemented at the beginning of the season, beginning with the overall bike configuration. With Lorenzo Savadori stepping in for Jorge Martín, the development program initiated during the Shakedown will continue. Drawing on insights from the Shakedown and Marco Bezzecchi’s input, further electronic enhancements will be tested over the next two days. Both riders will also trial various aerodynamic setups.

As the first hour draws to a close, Fabio Quartararo remains the leader, staying ahead of Fermin Aldeguer. Franco Morbidelli has moved into 3rd place, surpassing Marc Marquez and Yamaha's test rider, Augusto Fernandez.

It's still quite early in the process, but if several Yamaha bikes remain competitive by the conclusion of the second day, it might indicate a positive trend for the M1 models. However, the true challenge will come next week in Buriram, where they won't benefit from the initial trials to help increase their pace.

In response to the injuries sustained by Jorge Martin, Fabio di Giannantonio, and Raul Fernandez yesterday, Aprilia's test rider Lorenzo Savadori and Ducati's test rider Michele Pirro have been included in the lineup for the second day.

At Sepang today, the sun is shining intensely, which is quite a contrast to the cloudy skies and mild temperatures we experienced yesterday. We're expecting it to be a characteristically hot day.

Newcomer Fermin Aldeguer and Fabio Quartararo alternated holding the leading position, with the French racer achieving the fastest lap of the year, clocking in at 1 minute 57.324 seconds.

Marc Marquez finished his initial session of the day in third place, trailing Fabio Quartararo and Fermin Aldeguer, and slightly ahead of his Ducati Lenovo teammate, Francesco Bagnaia.

Fabio Quartararo, who led the shakedown test and the first day, has returned to the forefront for Yamaha with a lap time of 1 minute and 58.254 seconds.

After the first 15 minutes, newcomer Fermin Aldeguer leads with a time of 1 minute 58.740 seconds, with Francesco Bagnaia and Franco Morbidelli trailing behind.

Following the gusty winds yesterday, which some cyclists believe played a role in the mishaps, the weather has significantly settled today.

In summary, Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo achieved the quickest time on the first day with a lap of 1 minute 57.555 seconds.

Bagnaia's lap times are presently in the one minute and 59-second range.

Yesterday, the two-time champion shared that he was currently utilizing the 2024 chassis paired with the new GP25 engine, with the engine being the primary focus for now. However, he intended to test the '25 chassis today.

Greetings from Sepang, as the second day of the 2025 Official test kicks off this morning.

Alex Rins, Marco Bezzecchi, and Francesco Bagnaia immediately hit the track, closely followed by Franco Morbidelli, Brad Binder, and Jack Miller.

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2025 Sepang MotoGP Official Test – Second Day: LIVE UPDATES

Stay informed with real-time coverage of the second day of the 2025 Official Sepang MotoGP test happening on Thursday. Following a challenging first day that resulted in injuries for riders Jorge Martin, Fabio di Giannantonio, and Raul Fernandez, Thursday's testing resumed at 10 a.m.

Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo led the shakedown session, setting the fastest time, while Marc Marquez, who recently joined the factory Ducati team, was close behind on the first day.

There are only five days allocated for official pre-season testing before the 2025 MotoGP season kicks off in Thailand on February 28. These tests include three days at Sepang and two days at Buriram.

The testing sessions at Sepang are scheduled from 10 in the morning until 6 in the evening, after which practice starts are conducted

Francesco Bagnaia has fallen at the last corner, Turn 15. The rider is unharmed.

Lap times recorded at 11 am during the second day of the official MotoGP test in Sepang.

(Previously, before Morbidelli recorded a time of 1 minute and 57.210 seconds)

At 11:04 a.m., Franco Morbidelli moved ahead of his former Yamaha teammate, Fabio Quartararo, taking the lead on the timing board with his GP24.

Fabio di Giannantonio, who rides the GP25 and is currently a teammate of Morbidelli at VR46, is not present today because he sustained a collarbone injury on Wednesday.

Details from the Aprilia factory team's plans for their second day of testing, which will proceed without Jorge Martin due to his injury:

The primary aim for today is to evaluate certain new components that will be implemented at the beginning of the season, starting with an overall bike configuration. With Lorenzo Savadori stepping in for Jorge Martín, we will continue the development process initiated during the Shakedown. Taking into account insights from the Shakedown and feedback from Marco Bezzecchi, we plan to test additional electronic upgrades over the next two days. Both riders will also be experimenting with various aerodynamic setups.

As the initial hour nears its conclusion, Fabio Quartararo maintains his lead, with Fermin Aldeguer trailing him. Franco Morbidelli has moved into third place, surpassing Marc Marquez, while Yamaha test rider Augusto Fernandez follows closely behind.

While it's still early in the process, if several Yamaha bikes continue to perform strongly by the conclusion of the second day, it might indicate a positive trend for the M1 models. However, the true challenge will come next week in Buriram, where they won't benefit from the initial shakedown to enhance their pace.

In the wake of injuries sustained by Jorge Martin, Fabio di Giannantonio, and Raul Fernandez yesterday, Aprilia's test rider Lorenzo Savadori and Ducati's Michele Pirro have been included in the lineup for the second day.

The weather at Sepang today is vastly different from yesterday's cloudy skies and mild temperatures, with the sun shining intensely and the heat expected to rise.

Newcomer Fermin Aldeguer and Fabio Quartararo took turns leading the scoreboard, with the French racer achieving the fastest lap of the year with a time of 1 minute 57.324 seconds.

Marc Marquez has finished his initial session of the day, securing the 3rd spot, trailing Fabio Quartararo and Fermin Aldeguer, while managing to stay ahead of his Ducati Lenovo teammate Francesco Bagnaia.

Fabio Quartararo, the standout performer in the initial shakedown test, has reclaimed the leading position for Yamaha with a lap time of 1 minute and 58.254 seconds.

After 15 minutes, newcomer Fermin Aldeguer leads with a time of 1 minute 58.740 seconds, with Francesco Bagnaia and Franco Morbidelli trailing behind.

Following the blustery conditions experienced yesterday, which some cyclists believe played a role in the mishaps, the weather is significantly more tranquil today.

To summarize, Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo once recorded the quickest day one time with a lap of 1 minute and 57.555 seconds.

Bagnaia's lap time is now in the one minute and 59-second range.

Yesterday, the two-time champion shared that he was currently utilizing the 2024 chassis along with the new GP25 engine, with the engine being the primary focus at this time. However, he intended to test the '25 chassis today.

Greetings from Sepang as the second day of the Official 2025 test kicks off.

Alex Rins, Marco Bezzecchi, and Francesco Bagnaia wasted no time getting onto the track, closely followed by Franco Morbidelli, Brad Binder, and Jack Miller.

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Smiling broadly, Joan Mir discusses how his Honda is performing at its peak. Wednesday marked Joan Mir's best experience yet with his Honda.

Joan Mir described the first day of MotoGP testing in Malaysia for the 2025 season as his most successful experience with Honda, stating that he is confident about all the progress they have achieved.

Since becoming the world champion in 2020, the racer has faced a challenging period after signing with Honda at the beginning of the 2023 season. Last year, he struggled significantly, finishing in 21st place with only 21 points.

During the winter, Honda has taken significant steps to improve its situation, highlighted by bringing on Romano Albesiano from Aprilia as the new technical director.

On Wednesday, Mir rode a bike on the Sepang track for testing, which had not been affected by Albesiano's input. However, there were noticeable signs of improvement with the RC213V.

Mir completed 54 laps and finished the day in sixth position, testing two different models of the Honda.

When questioned about whether this was his top testing day with Honda, Mir responded, "Yes, it was."

Joan Mir discusses Honda's progress

Joan Mir expressed his satisfaction with Honda's improvements, noting that he felt he "was getting better each time on the track." He mentioned that they finished the day with impressive speed, both with worn-out and fresh tires.

"I'm pleased because we have a general grasp of the approach we wish to maintain throughout this test."

"We've discovered the configuration and design that enable me to ride in my usual style, something I couldn't do last season, particularly during its latter half."

"Honda has now provided a setup that enables me to achieve this. Each time I went out, I felt joy and couldn't help but smile because riding the bike was such a pleasure."

"Our bike lacks speed on the straightaways; in fact, it is the slowest. However, we've definitely made some progress in that area, and I'm confident that we don't fall behind by more than three or four tenths of a second on those two straight sections at Sepang."

"This implies that we can significantly reduce the gap, as we have made enhancements in the braking zone."

"I managed to brake in the way I'm familiar with and could turn the vehicle. Despite experiencing some vibrations, I found a way to cope with them. The team put in a lot of effort, and it truly paid off."

"We still need to improve our grip and top speed by one step. Over the next two days, we'll concentrate on addressing these areas."

"I wish we could move on from everything we experimented with today and avoid repeating them since we had a highly successful day of testing."

"We are completely confident in all the actions we have taken. This is extremely positive and brings me joy."

Joan Mir discusses a significant flaw of the Honda, which is its insufficient rear grip in recent times.

Mir notes that while there hasn't been an enhancement in "pure grip," the improved ability to maneuver the bike has positively impacted this aspect.

"We primarily enhanced the maneuverability," he mentioned.

"We made enhancements to the aerodynamics, along with several other elements."

"We likely enhanced the ground effect in the turns, which increased the grip. This improvement allows for higher speeds, making throttle control more precise and providing better traction."

"You don't start from scratch, which has helped enhance the grip. However, in terms of achieving a completely improved grip, we didn't make any progress today."

On Wednesday, Honda's new tail design caught everyone's eye, but Mir was tight-lipped about what the Japanese brand was trying to achieve. He commented, "I can't say much about it. Honestly, it's not very attractive. Other than that, I don't have much to add."

Statements given by Crash MotoGP Editor, Peter McLaren

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Jack Miller discusses his approach to addressing Yamaha's shortcomings.

Jack Miller's initial impressions of his Yamaha bike.

Jack Miller is advancing in addressing Yamaha's shortcomings following the first day in Sepang.

Miller is transitioning from riding a factory KTM to a Yamaha motorcycle, as part of the newly established Pramac satellite team.

He gained an advantage by participating in last week's preliminary testing ahead of Wednesday's official MotoGP preseason test, where he achieved the eighth-fastest time.

Miller commented that the first day was favorable for their team.

"Clearly, it's a huge relief to have completed the preliminary run and shake off the nerves. We focused on adjusting the setup."

"Today was dedicated to work, focusing on geometry. I feel pleased with the progress we're making with the bike."

"I'm beginning to feel at ease with it and am now testing its boundaries, pushing it to what I believe is its limit."

"The main purpose of this testing is to reach this point, so it's great to have achieved it right from the start."

"We have examined numerous components, such as the fairings and chassis, even during the initial testing phases."

"I’m pleased to have the opportunity to test components and to receive backing from Yamaha. This support is vital given our current situation. It’s a significant advantage."

"Well, at least we're not just going around aimlessly!"

Jack Miller shares insights on Yamaha's shortcomings

"When I got on the bike, I noticed that the rear grip was a significant weakness," Miller stated.

"However, the front end was incredibly impressive…"

"It's all about finding the right equilibrium. Our goal is to maintain that as effectively as we can, while also improving from behind."

"We've taken positive strides in improving the bike for racing, both mechanically and with electronics."

Miller described the advantages of his Yamaha, stating, "The feedback, cornering, and braking are exceptional. I've never experienced a front end on a motorcycle quite like this one."

"It's both an advantage and a disadvantage because it's hard to determine where the boundary lies!"

"You keep pushing and pushing, but it remains in place! It's amazing, yet building confidence requires a lot of effort."

"Having an additional two days for practice sessions significantly benefited us."

"Being self-assured and advancing the initial stages will be crucial."

Miller mentioned that a significant aspect for him was observing how previous Yamaha riders maintained alignment with both wheels.

"My approach in straight braking areas involves sliding the rear wheel by leaning the bike back."

"I've discovered a method to maintain Yamaha's advantage in corner speed and turning, while also effectively halting the bike at Turns 9 and 1."

"It's enjoyable to pass other riders and bring the motorcycle to a halt whenever necessary."

"In MotoGP, it's an essential instrument for starting overtakes."

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Aprilia: Jorge Martin's crash during testing wasn't due to a bike problem or a rider error

"It was a significant crash that seemed to occur without an apparent cause…"

The CEO of Aprilia, Massimo Rivola, stated that there was "no error with the bike and no error on his part" concerning the accident that might have prematurely concluded Jorge Martin's MotoGP pre-season.

On Wednesday, during the first day of testing at Sepang, the current world champion experienced two crashes. The second incident, a severe highside at Turn 2, resulted in him sustaining several fractures.

Martin is set to stay overnight at the hospital before heading back to Europe for an operation, which raises significant uncertainty about his involvement in the Buriram test planned for next week.

According to Rivola, Aprilia's analysis indicated that Martin's motorcycle had no issues at the time of the accident. Furthermore, it was noted that Martin was not accelerating, and his tires were operating within the optimal range.

According to Rivola, the accident occurred while using the same tires, but he did not directly fault Michelin for the incident.

In the early hours of wearing the number 1 plate, @88jorgemartin experienced a terrible highside. He is currently in the hospital undergoing tests for pain in his left foot and right hand. More information will be provided as it becomes available. Meanwhile, we extend our heartfelt support to the World Champion. #MotoGP

"This is clearly an issue," stated Rivola.

"A serious accident occurred without any apparent cause, with neither any error from the bike nor from him."

When questioned about whether Martin's two accidents were alike, he responded by saying, "It's intriguing since both incidents involved using the same set of tires."

"The initial one was located on the right side, while the subsequent one was positioned on the left."

"The medium tire is designed with an asymmetrical pattern. Therefore, if you find that the medium tire isn't performing optimally on the right side, then logically, it should have a softer compound on that side when you make a right turn."

"I'll rely on you to gather additional information."

Rivola has announced that Aprilia plans to have test rider Lorenzo Savadori continue with the bike for the remainder of the testing session. He also acknowledged that Martin's initial full day on the RS-GP 2025 might occur during the first practice session at the Thailand Grand Prix.

"The schedule is as follows: a mandatory 24-hour stay in the hospital," he stated.

"He's scheduled to be discharged from the hospital tomorrow. The following day, he will travel to Europe for the surgery."

"Following that, we'll observe the body's response and recovery process. The excellent news is that there is no concussion, which is the most crucial aspect, to be honest."

"Today turned out to be a fortunate day when observing the crash. Following this, we feel assured that he will be ready for the first race."

"We witnessed Jorge and numerous other racers performing incredible feats, so why not watch him compete in Thailand?"

"In Thailand, we plan to include Sava as a backup for additional testing, although it will be challenging."

"It's possible that Martin's initial experience with the 25 bike might occur during FP1."

Martin wasn't the only Aprilia rider sidelined due to an injury, as Trackhouse's Raul Fernandez also sustained a fractured left hand following a crash.

Davide Brivio, the head of the Trackhouse team, commented that Fernandez's crash was unusual because he wasn't exerting much effort at the time.

Statements shared by Peter McLaren, the editor of Crash MotoGP

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Brad Binder highlights a transformative trait of Pedro Acosta that he aims to emulate at KTM

Brad Binder provides insights into the factory KTM team's upcoming test in Sepang

Brad Binder recognizes the need to draw motivation from Pedro Acosta's handling of the KTM in a specific aspect.

Acosta made an impressive debut last season and has since been elevated to KTM's premier MotoGP team, where he will team up with Binder.

Binder narrowly surpassed Acosta in the previous season's championship, finishing just ahead of him as the highest-placed non-Ducati rider. He has identified how the rising talent is extracting more performance from his equipment.

"Binder mentioned that the first step for him is to focus on corner entry when inquired about how he could emulate Acosta's technique in riding."

"I have to start the procedure sooner. I consistently procrastinate, procrastinate, procrastinate, and then suddenly, I rush to complete it as quickly as possible!"

"Lacking grip at the front end can lead to difficulties."

"I have to approach it with more care. It's something I noticed he had been practicing since the start."

"Accomplishing this will simplify my life."

Brad Binder hopes for a couple of significant adjustments from KTM

This week, from February 7-9, Binder alongside Acosta will participate in the 2025 MotoGP official test in Sepang, stepping in for KTM's test riders Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaro, who participated in the Shakedown.

Binder identified two key improvements he desires for his KTM's progress: “One aspect I believe is vital is reducing the spin as we accelerate down the straight. That's an area where I feel significant gains can be made throughout the season.

"Moreover, if our ability to maneuver improved, there wouldn't be a need to overly exert the lead, resulting in fewer problems in that area."

"Any of the two would be greatly valued."

Binder remains positive about KTM's outlook, stating, "I really haven't talked to Dani or Pol yet, but I've had discussions with my team."

"They seem more optimistic than they have been in quite a while, particularly following the initial trial.

"Everyone is excited. They have a lot of activities scheduled."

He maintains that all updates or components introduced during the season will be made available to the new Tech3 team members, Maverick Vinales and Enea Bastianini.

"He mentioned that the previous year was no different. What applied to one person applied to everyone."

Every attempt we made was shared with the four riders for their feedback, after which improvements were implemented.

"I sense that our partnership is more akin to a quartet than a duo. Despite the physical barrier, all other aspects are transparent."

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Jorge Martin ruled out of Sepang test due to injuries sustained in major crash

Recent news on Jorge Martin's health following a significant highside accident

Jorge Martin will not participate in the remainder of the Sepang pre-season test due to sustaining several fractures from a significant accident.

In November, Martin had an impressive debut as a factory rider for Aprilia during the post-season test in Barcelona. However, his preparations for the 2025 season faced a significant twist on Wednesday at Sepang.

During the first day of pre-season testing in Malaysia, Martin experienced two falls while getting accustomed to the RS-GP.

In the second crash, he was thrown off his Aprilia at Turn 2 as he began a fast lap, and Martin struck the ground with significant force.

Jorge Martin experienced a dramatic highside at the second turn during the MotoGP Sepang Test. 😳 #MotoGP #SepangTest pic.twitter.com/NmhUuWQPq8— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) February 5, 2025

He was transported to the hospital for examinations, and Aprilia confirmed that he has broken bones in his right hand and left foot.

He will stay in the hospital for observation until the next day and is scheduled to fly back to Europe on Thursday for an operation. His ability to take part in the Buriram test next week is highly uncertain.

A short announcement from Aprilia stated: "Jorge Martin has sustained a fracture in his right hand and multiple fractures in his left foot."

He has had both a CT scan and an MRI, and neither showed any signs of injury.

He is set to remain in the hospital for the night and is scheduled to return to Europe the following day to have surgery on his right hand and left foot.

Jorge Martin experienced a closed fracture at the head of the 5th metacarpal in his right hand, as well as closed fractures of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th metatarsals in his left foot.

Martin took to social media to share his thoughts, stating, "The beginning of the 2025 season hasn't gone as planned! However, the Martinator always bounces back with more strength!"

Raul Fernandez Latest News

An Aprilia bike from Trackhouse that has seen better days 😳📸 Photo courtesy of Gold & Goose #MotoGP #SepangTest pic.twitter.com/S1vgiSIrQM— Crash MotoGP (@crash_motogp) February 5, 2025

An Aprilia bike from Trackhouse that has seen better days 😳📸 Photo courtesy of Gold & Goose #MotoGP #SepangTest pic.twitter.com/S1vgiSIrQM

Martin is the second Aprilia rider to miss the Sepang test because of an injury. This follows Trackhouse Racing’s Raul Fernandez, who had an accident on Wednesday, resulting in a fracture to his left hand.

The rider is currently returning to Barcelona to undergo surgery. Trackhouse team leader Davide Brivio mentioned that Fernandez is eager to get back on his bike for the Buriram test scheduled for next week.

For 2025, Aprilia will proceed with its preparations using only two racers, both of whom are newcomers to the motorcycle.

Trackhouse newcomer Ai Ogura secured the 16th position on Wednesday after delivering impressive performances during the shakedown last weekend.

On Wednesday, Marco Bezzecchi secured the 18th position riding the factory team's RS-GP.

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Pedro Acosta cautions KTM on the importance of heeding essential advice to prevent an erratic Sepang MotoGP test outcome. He asserts that KTM veered off course in the previous year.

Pedro Acosta has expressed the view that KTM may have experimented excessively with its MotoGP bike during parts of 2024, suggesting that the team take a page out of Moto2's book for its testing strategy at Sepang in 2025.

Acosta is set to kick off his second season in the top tier by participating in the Sepang pre-season test this week with the KTM factory team.

The brand has faced a challenging winter owing to its financial difficulties. Despite this, motorsport chief Pit Beirer has assured that the company's preparation for the upcoming season remains on track.

Pedro Acosta suggests strategies for KTM

Acosta mentions that there is a plethora of options to explore on the RC16 in the coming three days, yet he cautions the company against going overboard by experimenting with too many alternatives.

He believes this was an obstacle in the previous year, and recalls that a few years back in Moto2, KTM encountered a similar setback, becoming more competitive after halting development.

"Let's observe what it's like for me to not be on a MotoGP bike for three months," he commented in response to Crash.net's inquiry about his anticipations for the Sepang test.

"I'm feeling alright, though it's clear there's plenty to explore. However, it's important to stay grounded, not to lose oneself, and recognize the right moments to decline or accept opportunities."

"Throughout the previous year, we often experimented with various strategies, even during race weekends, which possibly led us to stray from our intended path."

"When KTM participated in Moto2, their development came to a halt just as Brad Binder and Jorge Martin began to make progress."

"It's important for us to stay grounded and approach the exam calmly to see how far we can go."

Acosta is eager to figure out how KTM's competitors managed to outperform them last year. He also mentions that during the off-season, he has concentrated on adjusting his riding technique, acknowledging that he might have been "too aggressive" towards the season's close.

"He emphasized the need to identify how competing brands are distinguishing themselves from us."

"I'm not certain of the precise location, but ultimately, they're employing the back tyre differently from how we do, and it's in that specific aspect where they're gaining an advantage."

"This winter, I made an effort to alter my approach to riding slightly, aiming not to concentrate solely on leading but to ease up on the brakes and adopt more flowing lines instead. My goal was to achieve greater smoothness in my movements, as I realized that towards the season's close, my technique had perhaps become overly aggressive."

Comments shared by Peter McLaren, the Editor for Crash MotoGP

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Yamaha's explanation proposed for severe crashes during Sepang tests

"There were hardly any crashes, if any at all, during the Shakedown…"

During the first day of the official MotoGP test at Sepang, numerous riders experienced crashes. Yamaha's Alex Rins attributed these incidents to the gusty weather conditions at the Malaysian track.

After ending the first day in 14th position, Rins, who participated in the second and third days of last weekend's Shakedown test in Sepang, observed a stark difference. While the Shakedown test saw minimal incidents, the initial day of the official test was marked by numerous crashes.

Raul Fernandez suffered a crash that resulted in a fracture to his left hand, preventing him from participating in the rest of the test. Similarly, reigning World Champion Jorge Martin experienced a high-side crash at turn two, leading to fractures in his hand and foot. Consequently, he will not be able to take part in the second and third days of testing.

"In truth, during the Shakedown, we barely witnessed any crashes," Rins mentioned following the initial day of the official testing in Sepang.

"I'll highlight the wind, as it was extremely powerful."

"I felt a bit frustrated because I completed just 41 laps. It would have been great to make it 42."

"I completed just 41 laps and spent a considerable amount of time waiting for the wind to calm down."

Rins elaborated on the sections of the track that were most impacted by the wind.

"The wind was particularly troublesome at turn four, and it was quite strong at turn five. It was also noticeable at turns nine, 11, and 13, especially after changing directions at the spot where [Pedro] Acosta had his crash. I'm not sure if the wind was the cause of his accident," he mentioned.

Yamaha's Strategy Shift

Rins proposed that the large number of crashes on the first day in Sepang was due to the wind. He also indicated that both he and Yamaha would be altering their testing strategy.

"To be truthful, the gusty wind today has somewhat altered the original plan," he mentioned.

"During the Shakedown, we had the opportunity to try out various elements, including adjustments to the setup and some new components such as the chassis."

During the Shakedown, the performance of the chassis wasn't very impressive, but Yamaha managed to make some improvements. Today, the plan was to evaluate the slightly modified new chassis and to try out a new upper wing on the fairing.

"However, the wind prevented us from doing so."

Although Rins faced challenges due to the wind, his teammate Fabio Quartararo viewed the situation differently.

"There are 15 turns on the track, and I felt that the wind was causing issues for me in about four or five of them," he mentioned.

"In my view, you can determine from the remaining 10 whether the new component was an improvement."

Due to concerns regarding the conditions, Rins decided to alter his strategy. Rather than evaluating Yamaha's new parts, he concentrated on testing the tyres.

"We altered our strategy and evaluated the three front Michelin tires provided to us," he stated.

"There were three distinct types. The first was like the soft compound we use here, but with an alternative construction that wasn't too bad. The other two featured a different casing and were of a different size."

Rins mentioned that the two tires featuring different casing sizes are the ones being developed for the 2026 season. However, he was uncertain whether the third tire would be used in competition in 2025.

As the final two days of the test approach, the Spanish participant is focused on realigning with his original testing schedule.

He added that he wouldn't have been able to accomplish much else.

"Certainly, we still have two days left. I didn't use any qualifying tires to achieve a fast lap time because it wasn't the appropriate moment, as we discussed with our team."

"We'll be examining the chassis and the fairing tomorrow to determine if we can discover any improvements."

In contrast to Rins, Quartararo opted to fit a fresh tire towards the end to target a fast lap time. Ultimately, this time was just slightly better than the one he achieved in Q2 during last year's Malaysian Grand Prix. He recorded a 1:57.592 last November, compared to the 1:57.555 he set on the first day of this year's test.

He expressed optimism, saying, "It's a good thing. It's preferable to being slower. Additionally, we weren't specifically aiming for a time attack, so it's encouraging that we were already […] quicker than during the qualifying session."

"I was feeling pretty positive; during the qualifying session, the main goal is to achieve a fast lap time. At that point, we were experimenting with different setups and added a fresh set of tires towards the end to aim for an impressive lap time."

"We've been riding for two days, taken two days off, and then returned to improve our lap times. I believe this approach has been beneficial, and we performed well."

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Pecco Bagnaia: Jorge Martin's accident was "as unfortunate as it gets"

"Perhaps fans should keep in mind that handling these bikes is far from simple…"

Francesco Bagnaia thinks that Jorge Martin's crash during the MotoGP test in Sepang was due to unfortunate circumstances instead of excessive risk-taking.

Current MotoGP titleholder Martin, who was riding the Aprilia RS-GP for just the second time, experienced two crashes on the first day of the official test. His second crash was a high-side at turn two, which resulted in fractures to both his left hand and left foot. Consequently, he will be unable to participate in the second and third days of testing.

Bagnaia admitted that he doesn't really think about the dangers of MotoGP, even after spending a few months away from the bike, as he commented following the first day in Sepang.

"I understand that such incidents are always possible, but today was particularly unfortunate. Martin fell and returned to the garage, and then during his first timed lap, he suffered another crash, which was quite severe."

"It’s possible that the back tire hadn’t reached an optimal temperature since it was the harder type, which isn’t very effective. Perhaps the temperature wasn’t ideal, leading to a crash similar to the one Marc Marquez experienced in 2019."

"I find the situation unfortunate, but I'm hopeful he'll return to Thailand or be prepared for the first race."

"I believe he wasn't taking any risks today; he simply had an accident at the slowest turn, in the most unfortunate manner. It's one of those things that can occur."

"Perhaps some supporters should keep in mind that handling these motorcycles isn't as simple as it seems."

"Improved power delivery, but braking issues on the GP25"

Regarding Bagnaia's performance, it was relatively subdued when looking at lap times. The three-time World Champion ended up in 17th place, trailing Fabio Quartararo's leading time by 1.392 seconds.

The Italian explained that his ability to run was restricted because he didn't have enough tires. This shortage also stopped him from effectively evaluating how the new Desmosedici GP25 stacked up against the earlier model, the GP24.

"It’s challenging to comment on the bikes as we lack sufficient tires for proper testing, making today more of a day of compromise," Bagnaia remarked regarding his first day of the season.

"We initiated this process primarily to sort everything out. We began by tackling the most significant issue and realized that the other specification wasn't performing optimally. However, we gained valuable insight into the right path to take, thanks to Marc Marquez's impressive time attack on the GP24 towards the end of the day."

"We have additional information to review, and I believe we performed excellently today. Our impressions were quite similar, and we have confidence in this. We experimented with a new approach and united by the end of the day."

"We provided extensive information to the technicians and engineers, allowing us to begin work with clear direction tomorrow."

Even though Bagnaia was hesitant to firmly state his opinion on the GP25 in comparison to the 2024 model, he did share a few thoughts on the new bike's characteristics.

He expressed that one positive aspect of the GP25 is its power delivery, noting that it feels smoother and more precise. In comparison, the GP24 had a somewhat uneven power delivery when exiting.

"The standout feature of the GP24 was its braking and corner entry capabilities, which are not currently matched by the GP25. We need to address this, but fortunately, there is ample time to make improvements."

Bagnaia explained that he believes the engine is affecting his perception of the GP25's braking performance, suggesting it seems to be a downgrade compared to the GP24. However, he emphasized that this issue is not related to inertia.

He stated, "I believe it's primarily about how the engine is built, rather than the engine's inertia."

"It could be the arrangement."

The Italian mentioned that on Wednesday, he had been using the GP24 chassis to concentrate more on the new engine.

"The structure we used today was the GP24 frame, paired with the new engine," he explained. "Initially, it's crucial to focus on understanding the engine, and afterward, we'll incorporate the new frame."

Fabio Di Giannantonio, who was already trying out the new frame, expressed satisfaction with its performance during braking. Therefore, I believe it will be beneficial.

The new chassis is being introduced later than planned due to limited testing opportunities before the season starts, coupled with the engine development freeze set for 2026.

Bagnaia explained that the reason for prioritizing engine testing at Ducati is the upcoming development freeze, and they don't have as much time as they used to.

"After completing these five days of testing, we will head to Thailand one week later for the opening race."

"The most crucial aspect is to comprehend the engine, as we've previously had to take a step back, and we wish to avoid repeating that scenario. The GP24 demonstrated remarkable qualities in certain areas, and our goal is to build on those strengths."

"In my opinion, the engine performs excellently when accelerating and delivering power, but there's a need to enhance the braking system; fortunately, we have an idea of the necessary improvements."

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