Aprilia are still hopeful of keeping Jorge Martin, but reports suggest they’ve drawn up a shortlist of potential replacements. They have to plan for all eventualities at this stage.
Aprilia believe Martin’s exit clause is invalid because he’s been injured for all but one race. The Spaniard confirmed in a statement that he’s exercised his right to join a new team for 2026 based on his lowly championship position.
Martin didn’t rule out staying at Aprilia in the press release. He’s open to renegotiating his contract with a new set of performance criteria.
But his camp say that Aprilia won’t come to the table. The end result could be a legal battle.
In the hope of avoiding that eventuality, Aprilia are ‘pampering’ Martin. He made his first appearance since the exit clause bombshell at their ‘All Stars’ event last weekend and received a warm reception.
Nicolo Bulega opts to sign new Ducati contract rather than join Aprilia
One rider Aprilia have looked at in the event that Martin does leave is Nicolo Bulega. Bulega leads the World Superbikes championship ahead of Toprak Razgatlioglu.
Razgatlioglu is set to join Pramac for 2026 and there was talk that the Italian could join him in switching disciplines. Bulega emerged as an Aprilia target last month.
However, GPOne are now reporting that the 25-year-old is on the verge of signing a new contract with Ducati. It will only be a one-year agreement (with an option for a second), but he’ll be involved in the testing of their 850cc MotoGP prototypes for 2027.
It seems that Ducati may be laying the groundwork to bring the Valentino Rossi academy graduate into the Grand Prix paddock at the start of the sport’s new era. Aprilia can regrettably cross one of the most exciting names off their list.
Aprilia could sign another rider rejected by Ducati to succeed Jorge Martin
Perhaps the simplest option would be to promote from within. Aprilia could elevate Ai Ogura to the factory team after the rookie’s impressive performances at Trackhouse.
While that would disrupt Davide Brivio’s squad, they could dip back into the Moto2 talent pool. Trackhouse hold an interest in Diogo Moreira, who’s currently fifth in the intermediate class.
Meanwhile, Luca Marini could be an option for Aprilia in an inadvertent ‘swap’ with Honda. Marini looks likely to lose his seat if Martin’s anticipated move to the Japanese manufacturer goes through.
But Enea Bastianini has also been linked with Aprilia as he grows frustrated at KTM. Martin hoped to replace Bastianini at the Ducati factory squad for 2025, but they favoured Marc Marquez.
