The Japanese Grand Prix sprint race at Motegi turned into a nightmare for Jorge Martin, as the Aprilia MotoGP rider suffered a heavy crash on the opening lap that left him with a fractured collarbone. The reigning world champion, who had already endured a season plagued with injuries, now faces another painful setback that will keep him out of Sunday’s main race.
A Chaotic Start Ends in Disaster
Lining up 17th on the grid, Martin was eager to make progress after a tough qualifying session. However, his comeback attempt unraveled almost immediately. Heading into Turn 1, Martin was caught in the thick of midfield traffic. As he tried to brake late to gain positions, he was squeezed by rivals and made contact with the Gresini Ducati of Fermin Aldeguer.
The impact sent Martin’s Aprilia hurtling into teammate Marco Bezzecchi, and both riders were launched into the gravel trap before they could complete the opening lap. While Bezzecchi limped away, Martin was clearly in distress, clutching his right shoulder as track marshals rushed to the scene.
Medical Confirmation: Collarbone Fracture
Martin was immediately transported to the Motegi medical center for evaluation. X-rays revealed a displaced fracture of the right collarbone, prompting doctors to order a transfer by helicopter to the Dokkyo Medical University Hospital for further scans.
Aprilia later released an official statement confirming the injury, explaining that Martin would undergo a CT scan to determine the severity and whether surgery would be required. MotoGP’s medical director, Dr. Angel Charte, provided more detail in an interview with DAZN.
“With Martín, it’s raining on wet ground,” Charte said. “He has a fracture in his right collarbone, in the middle third, which is completely displaced. I have transferred him to the hospital for a CT scan, so that the displacement does not rub against the lung area. He is conscious, stable, everything is fine. He is a little sedated because of the pain. After the CT scan, we will decide whether surgery is necessary, which will probably be performed at the Dexeus University Hospital.”
Bezzecchi’s Condition Also Monitored
Although less severe than Martin’s injury, Marco Bezzecchi did not escape unscathed. Aprilia confirmed that he had suffered a severe contusion on the abductor muscle of his right leg. Fortunately, further examinations ruled out structural damage, meaning his recovery will focus mainly on rehabilitation and anti-inflammatory treatment.
“Marco Bezzecchi has a severe contusion on the abductor muscle of his right leg, but it does not involve any pathology other than the pain he may be experiencing. We will treat him with rehabilitation, anti-inflammatories, and little else,” Dr. Charte clarified.
A Season Full of Pain for Martin
For Martin, the Japanese disaster compounds what has already been a brutally challenging debut season with Aprilia. The Spaniard has been repeatedly derailed by injuries, preventing him from mounting the title defense many fans expected after his championship triumph last year.
His misfortune began early in the year when he crashed during pre-season testing at Sepang, injuring his ribs. Later, while preparing for the Thailand opener, he suffered another training accident. Things got worse in Qatar, where he made his official debut on the Aprilia RS-GP but was involved in a heavy collision with Fabio di Giannantonio, leaving him with broken ribs and a lung injury that ruled him out until July’s Czech GP.
In total, Martin has already missed 10 races in the first half of the season, making it impossible to build momentum. Every time he appeared ready to settle into form, another setback struck. The Motegi crash is just the latest chapter in a season that has tested his resilience to the limit.
The Impact on Aprilia and MotoGP
Martin’s absence will undoubtedly hurt Aprilia, which had been counting on the Spaniard’s pedigree and experience to help the team close the gap to Ducati, KTM, and Yamaha. His teammate Marco Bezzecchi has shown flashes of speed but has also endured an inconsistent campaign, leaving Aprilia struggling for consistent top-five finishes.
MotoGP as a whole also feels the impact of Martin’s absence. As the reigning champion, he is one of the sport’s marquee names, and his aggressive, fearless style makes him a fan favorite. His absence from Sunday’s race robs fans of a potential charge through the field and denies the championship another intriguing storyline as the season heads toward its climax.
Recovery Timeline Still Unclear
The big question now revolves around how long Martin will be sidelined. Collarbone fractures are a common injury in MotoGP, but the recovery time varies depending on the severity and whether surgery is required. Some riders have returned within three to four weeks, while others have needed months to fully recover.
Given the displacement of the fracture and the possibility of surgery, Martin’s comeback could be delayed significantly. Aprilia is unlikely to rush him back, particularly given how fragile his season has already been.
What’s Next for Jorge Martin
If surgery is confirmed, Martin will likely undergo the procedure at the Dexeus University Hospital in Barcelona, a facility renowned for treating MotoGP riders. From there, rehabilitation will determine whether he can return before the end of the season.
For now, the Spaniard must once again confront a painful reality: a championship campaign lost not through lack of speed or determination, but through a cruel streak of injuries. The Motegi crash underlined the unforgiving nature of MotoGP, where one mistake, one piece of bad luck, can undo months of preparation in an instant.
Conclusion
The Japanese GP sprint was meant to be a chance for Jorge Martin to claw back momentum in a season overshadowed by crashes and injuries. Instead, it became the latest chapter in a nightmare campaign, leaving him with a fractured collarbone and more time on the sidelines. For Aprilia, for MotoGP, and most of all for Martin himself, the hope is that this latest setback will mark the end of his injury woes and that he can return stronger, ready to reclaim his place at the sharp end of the grid.
