During the MotoGP German Grand Prix, it was confirmed that Jorge Martin will continue with Aprilia through the end of the 2026 season. This decisive turn follows a protracted contractual dispute that began at the French Grand Prix in May, where Martin initially sought to be released from his contract in order to join Honda.
The deadlock reached a critical point when Carmelo Ezpeleta, CEO of Dorna, intervened at the Assen round. He emphasized that neither Dorna nor the International Road Racing Teams Association (IRTA) would permit the registration of any rider who had unresolved conflicts with their respective teams. “We will not accept the registration in the world championship of any rider who is not free, either through a judge’s ruling or through having reached an agreement with the other party,” Ezpeleta stated. His comments effectively quashed Martin’s hopes of moving to Honda, reinforcing Aprilia’s position that the release clause in Martin’s contract was not applicable due to his long-term injury.
Following several days of reflection, Martin chose to adhere to his contractual obligations and remain with Aprilia. This decision was reported by *Diario AS* on Friday and marks a significant shift in the rider’s focus as he prepares to return to racing at the upcoming event in Brno.
To understand the context of this resolution, it’s essential to revisit the events that led to Martin’s intentions to leave Aprilia. During the 2024 Italian Grand Prix in June, Martin’s agent, Albert Valera, learned that Ducati would not honor a verbal agreement to promote Martin to its factory team, opting instead for Marc Marquez. Following this setback, Valera approached Honda, which had previously shown interest in Martin.
In the meantime, Aleix Espargaro, then the leader of Aprilia, encouraged the team to act swiftly to secure Martin’s commitment. An agreement was reached and signed, yet Martin also negotiated a clause that would allow him to leave if he did not finish in the top five of the standings after the first six races of the season.
When Aprilia later deemed this clause invalid due to Martin’s injury, he attempted to activate it regardless. Secretly traveling to Le Mans, he informed Aprilia of his intentions while also seeking clarity from Ezpeleta, who reiterated that Martin must fulfill his two-year commitment to Aprilia.
Tensions escalated when Motorsport.com reported on the situation, prompting Aprilia to release a statement affirming that no negotiations had taken place regarding modifying Martin’s contract. The statement specifically targeted Honda, which had been warned by Aprilia about pursuing Martin while he remained under contract.
As the situation progressed, Martin’s legal representatives sought to ensure that disputes would be settled by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, yet Aprilia insisted on Milan courts for any legal matters. Valera attempted to apply pressure during a MotoGP broadcast at Assen, suggesting Martin was free to negotiate with other teams for 2026, but this only prompted a stronger response from Ezpeleta.
Despite Valera proposing a buyout to facilitate a move to Honda, Aprilia’s demands were considered excessive, effectively closing the door on Martin’s potential transfer. The Italian team, backed by its parent company, the Piaggio Group, maintained a firm stance throughout the negotiations, focusing on retaining Martin for the duration of his contract.
As of now, Martin is set to race with Aprilia until the end of 2026, aiming to remain a top contender in the championship. While his future beyond that remains uncertain, it appears Honda’s interest may still be alive for the 2027 season. Martin’s decision to stay with Aprilia signifies a substantial moment in his career, as he prepares to return to the track with renewed focus.
