Aprilia are in a messy situation as star rider Jorge Martin intends to leave the manufacturer at the end of 2025.
The 2024 MotoGP champion signed with the Noale outfit after Ducati snubbed him for Marc Marquez. Agreeing to a two-year factory contract, Martin seemed committed to the project at Aprilia, targeting 2026 for a title challenge.
However, optimism has been shattered in 2025 with Martin’s injury woes. The Spaniard missed pre-season and the first three races following a crash at Sepang, before sustaining serious injuries in a crash with Fabio Di Giannantonio in Qatar.
Martin has watched Aprilia’s progress during his recovery and is unsatisfied with the team’s current state. Rookie Ai Ogura is the manufacturer’s top rider in 10th, as they struggle for consistent results.
Martin told Aprilia at the French Grand Prix that he had activated an exit clause in his contract. It allows him to leave early if he is not in the top five of the standings after the first six races.
Aprilia said in a statement before the British Grand Prix that they were committed to the contract until 2026. They want to see Martin honour his part of the deal, but they could be in trouble with one vital development.
Jorge Martin’s injuries are ‘not specified’ in his Aprilia exit clause
Martin proposed to extend his clause by another six races from the point he returns to the grid. It is believed that the Spaniard could return for the German Grand Prix, with the new period taking things up to San Marino.
However, Aprilia ‘rejected’ Martin’s proposal as they insist that the clause is invalid. While it does exist, the Noale outfit says the 27-year-old has barely ridden the RS-GP25, making the clause null and void.
Martin was ‘surprised by Aprilia’s stance, with the matter set to rumble on throughout the season. But in a report from the Spanish edition of Motorsport.com, the manufacturer could be in trouble in negotiations.
Martin’s clause ‘specifies’ that he will be ‘free of the second year of the agreement’ if he is not in a top position after six races in 2025. Having not completed a race this season, Aprilia executives are ‘baffled’ by the situation.
They assumed that the exit clause would be ruled out, given Martin’s injuries this year. However, that ‘circumstance is not specified’ in the clause, which would, in theory, make the Spaniard in his right to activate the clause and seek an early exit.
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Aprilia face further contract trouble with Jorge Martin after triggering exit clause
Martin’s manager Albert Valera is confident the wounds will heal with Aprilia after triggering the exit clause. However, the team’s stance on the matter could create further trouble for both parties.
Aprilia cannot replace Martin until he leaves, meaning they must resolve the matter fast before other riders move elsewhere. Aprilia are interested in Enea Bastianini, as he has been linked with an early exit from KTM Tech3.
In their statement before Silverstone, the Noale outfit also asked other manufacturers not to make offers to Martin while he was under contract.
Honda are preparing to double Martin’s salary as the Spaniard eyes a move to the Japanese manufacturer. The 2024 champion’s bombshell could spark chaos in the MotoGP rider market.
