The MotoGP title picture changed sharply at Phillip Island. Jorge Martin has been ruled out of the Australian Grand Prix with a fractured wrist, and his appearance at next week’s Malaysian Grand Prix is uncertain. Marco Bezzecchi, however, is refusing to treat the championship as settled.

The 2024 world champion started the 13-lap sprint from fourth and moved immediately into the fight for victory. On lap eight, while running second, Martin crashed at high speed at Turn 8 and fractured his wrist. He had arrived leading the standings by two points, but Marc Marquez emerged from the sprint with a 10-point advantage. Five rounds remain in the championship.

Bezzecchi offered Martin his support and described the injury as a major disappointment for the rider, the team and everyone at Aprilia. He also pointed to the twists already seen during the season as a reason not to dismiss Martin’s chances. Bezzecchi is third in the standings, 50 points behind Marquez, and could become Aprilia’s only title hope if Martin is sidelined for an extended period.

A recovery from ninth on the grid

Bezzecchi started the sprint ninth after struggling to find enough speed in the mixed conditions during qualifying. He was outside the points in the opening stages, then recovered to finish fourth. The result comes against the backdrop of a season in which Bezzecchi had at one stage led by more than 30 points, while Marquez was 102 points behind after the Italian Grand Prix.