Aprilia: Jorge Martin’s Le Mans MotoGP victory a “big reward” after exit saga
The scene of Jorge Martin’s greatest day as an Aprilia MotoGP rider came exactly a year after he tried to leave the team.
Massimo Rivola admitted his “first thought” after Aprilia’s historic Le Mans MotoGP podium sweep was Jorge Martin’s dramatic decision at the same circuit one year earlier.
That was when the injured Martin travelled privately to Le Mans and informed Aprilia of his intention to activate an exit clause and leave at the end of the season.
Aprilia resisted, insisting the clause was not valid because of Martin’s lengthy injury absence and maintained that they could still succeed together.
Martin eventually backed down and - despite further injuries at Motegi, then corrective surgery over the winter - is finally showing the form Aprilia expected when they signed the 2024 MotoGP champion.
No higher than fourth between injuries last season, Martin’s Aprilia rise culminated in a perfect double of Sprint and grand prix wins at Le Mans.
“It's quite a day. My first thought goes to one year ago here in Le Mans when Jorge wanted to leave. And today is a big reward for us, together. The choice was right and super happy about that,” Rivola told MotoGP.com
Martin’s victory, combined with three earlier wins for team-mate Marco Bezzecchi, means Aprilia has been defeated in just one grand prix so far this season; Alex Marquez’s Gresini Ducati win at Jerez.
Martin is now just one point behind title leader Bezzecchi, runner-up at Le Mans.
“I'm not joking when I say that I'm not looking very much at the classifications, both riders and constructors,” Rivola insisted. “I know that we have a strong bike, we have a strong package, we have strong riders, we have a strong team [but] I think still it is too early.
“I wish the best to Marc [Marquez] to come back as soon as possible and in good shape, because we want to fight with the best Marc possible. And, for sure, there are some Ducatis, there is Pedro [Acosta], there are many riders. But if we keep pushing, it can be a good year.”
Nonetheless, with Marc Marquez out injured and third in the standings Fabio di Giannantonio (Ducati) some 44-points from the top, many see a Bezzecchi-Martin battle brewing to become Aprilia’s first ever MotoGP champion.
“The simple rule is that they must respect each other,” Rivola said. “If they will do that, there will be no problem.”
The added dynamic of a Bezzecchi-Martin title battle is that Martin is set to leave at the end of this season, while Bezzecchi is confirmed on a new two-year deal.
Although official rider announcements are currently on ice while manufacturers negotiate with MotoGP SEG over the next commercial contract, Martin is expected to join Yamaha and be replaced by Ducati’s double MotoGP champion Pecco Bagnaia.
Asked by Sky Italia about the images of Rivola and Martin hugging in parc ferme, and whether he was ‘thinking about a reunion or staying like this’, Rivola replied:
“It would be really nice, but I think Jorge made his choice a long time ago and I don't blame him for that.
“Because I challenge anyone in a situation like his last year, not being physically well, important offers coming in, it's possible that he doesn't have confidence... maybe in us too, but I can imagine in himself too.
“So I'll give my all for Marco, I'll give my all for Jorge, I'll ask the team to do the same, then whoever deserves it most will be the one up front, that's it."
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Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
