Jorge Martin is due to undergo a medical assessment for arm pump on Wednesday, before the Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring. The examination is intended to establish the appropriate treatment and whether surgery will be necessary. Its timing adds a medical question to a title contest in which Martin and Marc Marquez are level on 274 points, with the Ducati rider leading the standings.

Martin had appeared on course to challenge for victory in the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano. The problem in his forearm then tightened its grip, leaving the 2024 world champion to finish fifth. Marc Marquez took advantage to claim his fifth grand-prix win of the season and move to the top of the championship, although the two riders remained tied on points.

Speaking in Aprilia’s preview of the Red Bull Ring round, Martin said he had retained a strong feeling and pace at Misano until the forearm problem emerged. He said the way forward and the available solutions would be examined after Austria. Martin also described the Austrian circuit as one he likes, thanked Aprilia for its work and acknowledged the support he received from fans at Misano.

Should surgery be required, the stated plan is for it to take place before the Japan and Indonesia double-header in the first weeks of October. The available timetable leaves three weekends off between the Austrian round and the end of the season. It also says that Qatar, scheduled to bring a triple-header to a close in early November, is likely to be cancelled; that status is presented as a likelihood rather than a confirmed change.

Bezzecchi wants an immediate reset

Martin’s Aprilia team-mate Marco Bezzecchi arrives after throwing away the lead and crashing out of the Misano race. He is 33 points away from the championship lead, but regards an immediate return to competition as important for putting the error behind him. Bezzecchi pointed to his pace, pole position and best sprint-race result of the season as the weekend’s positives. His plan for Austria is to turn the disappointment into determination rather than allow the crash to define the next round.