Jorge Martin arrived at Motegi with an unusual target in front of him: putting Aprilia on the premier-class podium at the Japanese circuit for the first time. MotoGP’s points leader said he was surprised to learn that the manufacturer has never finished among the top three there. Ducati, Honda and Yamaha have all won repeatedly at Motegi, while KTM has added pole position and podium results in both Sprint and Grand Prix competition.

Martin also has a strong personal record at the track. In 2023, riding for Pramac Ducati, he won both the Motegi Sprint and the Grand Prix. This return comes with different expectations, however, after a productive Austrian weekend in which he won the Sprint and finished second in the main race behind KTM’s Pedro Acosta.

A new test for Aprilia’s progress

Martin says Aprilia’s motorcycle has changed substantially compared with its previous form. Motegi is not generally regarded as a natural Aprilia circuit, just as Austria was not, but the new asphalt gives the team another way to measure that improvement. Martin expects the first running to show how the package works and believes Aprilia can fight for another podium.

In the championship, Martin and Marc Marquez are each at least 30 points clear of Aprilia team-mate Marco Bezzecchi. Martin does not see that as proof of a two-rider contest, insisting that several riders can still enter the title fight. He regards Marquez as exceptionally fast, while his own season has so far included only one Grand Prix victory. The Asian rounds have traditionally suited Martin, and his form in the 2024 overseas races helped carry him to the world title. This time, though, he feels he lacks some outright speed compared with Marquez and Bezzecchi. Remaining in contention will demand more from both the Aprilia and from Martin himself.