Jorge Martin reached the front of the San Marino Grand Prix before a severe arm-pump episode changed the shape of his race at Misano. The Aprilia rider passed Marc Marquez in the early stages, took the lead and, for a period, pulled away without riding at the limit. He eventually finished fifth, while Marquez claimed victory and drew level with Martin at the top of the standings.

Martin said after the race that the problem first compromised his braking and then his ability to open the throttle. The difficulty intensified lap after lap. By the closing stages, he said, he could no longer make the motorcycle do what he wanted and felt he had lost control of it. He had noticed some trouble during the weekend, but had not expected it to become the defining factor on Sunday.

A problem last seen in 2019

The Aprilia rider has faced the same issue before. He suffered arm pump in 2019 and underwent surgery, then said he had not experienced it again until Misano. A further operation is now under consideration, but Martin wants to see how the arm behaves at the Austrian Grand Prix and discuss the options with doctors, including the recovery time that treatment would require.

The timing is difficult because several races are scheduled close together. Martin described Austria as a practical test: if the problem stays away, he may be able to continue without immediate surgery, although he cannot know whether it might return at another event. He remains convinced that he has the speed, motorcycle and team needed to fight for the championship. For now, however, the condition of his arm is the campaign’s major unknown.