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Jorge Martin’s Recovery Journey After Qatar GP Incident
Jorge Martin has spent the past 11 days in Doha recovering from a pneumothorax he sustained following a crash in the MotoGP Qatar Grand Prix. The reigning world champion found himself in a precarious situation after falling during the race, ultimately lying on the track vulnerable to incoming riders.
During the chaotic moments that followed, Fabio Di Giannantonio was unable to avoid him, leading to a collision that resulted in Martin suffering a pneumothorax in his right lung along with 11 rib fractures. Immediate medical attention was required, and he was swiftly transported to Hamad General Hospital, where medical professionals prioritized restoring his lung function and managing his significant rib pain.
One week after the incident, Martin was discharged from the hospital and has since been residing in a hotel in Doha while awaiting clearance to return to Spain. Earlier this week, Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola announced that Martin is set to fly back to Madrid on a medical flight this Saturday.
“The first piece of good news is that Jorge was discharged from the hospital last Sunday. The second is that on Saturday, he’ll be flying to Madrid on a medical flight,” Rivola shared. “Even though he’s been accompanied at all times by his father and partner, going home will surely help him emotionally.”
Upon his return to Madrid, Martin will undergo a comprehensive medical evaluation to determine the status of his recovery. As of now, the exact timeline for his return to racing is unclear. This recent injury adds to a troubling series of incidents for the rider; he previously crashed during the initial day of the 2025 winter tests in Sepang on February 5, leading to a serious hand injury that disrupted his pre-season training.
Additionally, while preparing for the season opener in Buriram, Martin encountered another setback when he crashed while training on a supermoto bike, resulting in another injury that kept him out of the first three races of the season: Thailand, Argentina, and Austin. Despite these challenges, he managed to return for the Qatar race earlier than many had anticipated.
Although there has yet to be an official announcement regarding his expected recovery period, it is widely believed that Martin will be sidelined for at least two months. Given the cumulative nature of his injuries, it is likely that he will proceed with caution and prioritize a full recovery before returning to competition.
In light of Martin’s extended absence, some teams have speculated that Aprilia might consider bringing in a replacement capable of maintaining competitiveness, especially since Lorenzo Savadori, currently filling in as a test rider on the RS-GP, may not generate the desired performance level. However, Rivola has indicated that this is not part of their plan.
“When a problem arises, you have to turn it into an opportunity, and with Savadori we now have the chance to accelerate the bike’s development,” Rivola explained.
This recent string of unfortunate events raises concerns about the psychological impact on Martin as he navigates recovery. There has been limited opportunity for him to effectively defend his title as the reigning MotoGP champion, as he has faced multiple crashes throughout the season.
“A rider with the heart, energy, and guts of Martín makes me optimistic in that regard,” Rivola concluded, showcasing his confidence in Martin’s resilience and determination as he seeks to rebound from this difficult chapter in his racing career.
Source
www.autosport.com