Jorge Martin’s planned return at the Qatar MotoGP will first have to clear Friday’s medical review. Aprilia has confirmed that its rider is already at Lusail and will be examined by MotoGP Medical Director Dr. Angel Charte at 12:15. The first MotoGP track session is due to start at 14:45, leaving only a short gap between the assessment and the opening of the weekend’s action.

Martin needs clearance for a second comeback attempt after breaking the radius in his right wrist during a Sprint clash with Marc Marquez at Phillip Island. He returned to the grid less than a week later at Sepang, but pulled out after the final practice session because he said he lacked strength. Marquez then took second place in the Sprint and won the Malaysian Grand Prix, moving close enough to put a Qatar title finish within reach.

The championship arithmetic

The points situation makes Martin’s medical decision particularly important. He must avoid losing more than 29 points to Marquez over the Qatar weekend to keep his championship bid alive. Even if the Ducati rider wins both races, eight points for Martin would be enough to postpone Marquez’s title celebrations. Martin is also defending second place: Marco Bezzecchi has closed to within 23 points, with three rounds still remaining. Aprilia trails Ducati by eight points in the constructors’ standings.

Fernandez and Aldeguer cleared

Raul Fernandez and Fermin Aldeguer have already been officially cleared to race in Qatar. Fernandez fractured a finger in a clash with Bezzecchi at the start of the Mandalika Sprint. Aldeguer needed surgery after breaking his hand in a first-lap crash in Indonesia. Both subsequently missed Phillip Island and Sepang, making their clearance another part of the injured-rider picture heading into the weekend.

Qatar also brings difficult memories for Martin. Last year’s event was his delayed Aprilia race debut after he missed pre-season testing and the opening three rounds. A crash during the Grand Prix left him with eleven rib fractures and lung damage, ruling him out of the next seven rounds. Marquez won both races from pole position. Martin now returns to the same circuit with his title hopes and his immediate racing comeback tied to Friday’s examination.