Yamaha may have taken the spotlight off Jorge Martin in the MotoGP rider market after signing Toprak Razgatlioglu to join Pramac, but the Aprilia star still wants out.
The reigning MotoGP champion shocked the premier class paddock this May, as Martin told Aprilia that he would be activating the exit clause in his contract. Aprilia had only welcomed the 27-year-old to Noale this season, but he quickly lost faith in the Italian factory’s project.
Martin has still only contested one round of the 2025 MotoGP season due to his injuries. Yet the Spaniard monitored Aprilia’s performances whilst out of action, having had to trigger his clause based on Martin being a title contender after the French Grand Prix by a certain time.
Yamaha signing Toprak to ride for Pramac in 2026 has now taken some of the attention away from Martin’s confirmed desire to leave Aprilia. But the Madrid native remains keen to leave Noale, just like they aspire to retain him as Aprilia do not believe Martin’s exit clause is valid.
Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta has ‘no intention’ of letting Jorge Martin leave Aprilia for Honda
Martin could also encounter Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta putting another hurdle in his path for a possible move to Honda for the 2026 MotoGP season, as well as Aprilia fighting to have the eight-time Grand Prix winner honour the two-year contract he agreed on to join in 2025.
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That is according to MOW, which now reports that Dorna chief Ezpeleta has ‘no intention’ of letting Martin leave Aprilia to join Honda. Ezpeleta believes allowing the Spaniard to tear up his contract with the Italian crew for 2026 to join the Japanese giant can be bad for MotoGP.
Martin has agreed a three-year contract with Honda, who will only formalise their deal once the 27-year-old is officially freed from his terms with Aprilia. But Ezpeleta knows it is vital for MotoGP that all sponsors see a stable series, which Martin’s hasty exit from Aprilia may risk.
Aprilia signing Moto2 star Jake Dixon could placate Carmelo Ezpeleta’s Jorge Martin fear
It would no doubt help Martin’s position if Aprilia can find a high-calibre replacement for the Spaniard, who would satisfy the Noale team’s desire for a big-name rider and Ezpeleta’s fear about the damage his exit could have on MotoGP. But his first task remains securing his exit.
It has been said that Aprilia could target Francesco Bagnaia to replace Martin, but the Ducati rider remains insistent he will not leave Borgo Panigale all the while he holds a contract next year. Bagnaia’s old Ducati teammate Enea Bastianini could replace Martin at Aprilia, though.
Alternatively, Aprilia could replace Martin with Moto2 rider Jake Dixon, which can also be an exploration of the rider market that can placate Ezpeleta’s fears. Aprilia signing Dixon can be huge for MotoGP by helping to boost the British Grand Prix’s attendance with a home rider.
