ApriliaTeam·Aprilia factory rider Jorge MartinPlayer·Jorge Martin is set to compete in the Italian Grand PrixCompetition·Italian Grand Prix at MugelloVenue·Mugello this weekend, navigating a foot ligament injury sustained during a significant crash at the Barcelona testsCompetition·Barcelona Tests. The incident, which occurred on May 18, 2026, saw Martin lose control of the front of his motorcycle at approximately 200 km/h (124 mph) during post-Catalan Grand PrixCompetition·Catalan Grand Prix testing, necessitating a hospital visit.
Initial examinations confirmed no fractures, but Martin revealed today at MugelloVenue·Mugello that he is dealing with a damaged ligament in his right foot. Despite the severity of the fall, the former world champion expressed relief regarding his overall condition.
"I lost the front of the bike at 200 km/h," Martin explained. "It was a really nasty crash. Thank God, I'm fine, I got away with it."
He further elaborated on his recovery: "I don't have any broken bones. This also proved to be a good test for my body to make sure I'm okay. I have a small foot injury, ligament damage. But I hope that tomorrow this won't bother me at all."
The crash in Barcelona was part of a challenging four-day period for Martin, during which he recorded six falls across the race weekend and subsequent tests. This series of incidents prevented him from contending for top positions and led to multiple visits to the circuit's medical center.
Crucially, Martin has vehemently denied reports suggesting he suffered a concussion after his most severe fall during Friday's first practice session at Turn 12. "It's not true about the concussion; after such a fall, it's impossible not to feel a bit dizzy. But immediately after, I simulated a start, so I don't know where that came from, but it's not true," Martin stated. "If I had a concussion, I would immediately go to the doctor, as I don't want to have subsequent problems."
However, this denial stands in contrast to some external reports, including discussions on Reddit, which claim Martin received an "unequivocal diagnosis of a slight concussion." These sources also raise concerns that updated FIMCompetition·FIM guidelines for concussions in 2026 may not have been fully adhered to, given his continued participation.
This period of injury and intense scrutiny follows a particularly arduous 2025 season for Jorge MartinPlayer·Jorge Martin. That year was marred by numerous significant injuries, including a broken right hand, a fractured left hand, a collapsed lung, 11 broken ribs, and a fractured collarbone. These setbacks severely impacted his performance, leading to a 21st-place finish in the championship. Martin, who secured the world championship in 2024, joined ApriliaTeam·Aprilia at the start of 2025. Despite initially announcing his intention to leave ApriliaTeam·Aprilia at the end of the 2025 season, he confirmed his commitment to the team for 2026 in July of that year. ApriliaTeam·Aprilia Technical Director Fabiano SterlacchiniCoach·Fabiano Sterlacchini had cautioned Martin in November 2025 that he would need to "accept suffering" early in the 2026 season due to the cumulative effect of his 2025 injuries and limited adaptation time with the RS-GP motorcycle.
Martin has shown signs of a return to form in 2026, achieving his first Grand Prix podium in nearly 500 days with a third-place finish at the Grand Prix of BrazilCompetition·Grand Prix of Brazil in March. Heading into the Italian Grand PrixCompetition·Italian Grand Prix, he trails championship leader and teammate Marco BezzecchiPlayer·Marco Bezzecchi by 15 points. The physically demanding nature of the MugelloVenue·Mugello circuit will test the resilience of his injured foot, adding another layer of challenge to his weekend.
Adding to the pressure, ApriliaTeam·Aprilia's new main sponsorship deal with Monster EnergyTeam·Monster Energy places Martin in a unique position. Despite his long-standing personal partnership with Red BullTeam·Red Bull, he will now display the Monster logo on his gear, having declined to sign a personal contract with the American energy drink giant. This situation introduces an additional psychological element as he prepares to race with both a physical injury and a new corporate branding dynamic.
Jorge Martin rides his Aprilia MotoGP bike at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit. (Anadolu Agency/IMAGO)
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