MOTO GP

Jorge Martín avoids surgery and may compete in Malaysia next week

Spaniard Jorge Martín, who fractured his right radius yesterday following a crash in the Sprint race at the Australian Grand Prix—held at the Phillip Island Circuit—will not require surgery and intends to attempt to compete in the Malaysian Grand Prix next weekend.

The Aprilia rider underwent a CT scan following his crash in yesterday’s Phillip Island Sprint. Only a non-displaced fracture of the distal radius has been confirmed, while the ulna — which had raised some doubts — has not suffered any fractures.

In light of the latest tests, the possibility of surgery has been definitively ruled out and Martín will not have to return to Spain. His plans have not changed: he will fly from Australia to Malaysia, where he will undergo the treatment recommended by doctors.

However, it is still too early to know whether Jorge will be able to consider trying to race at Sepang. The next few days will be crucial in finding out. The fact that the fracture to the radius is non-displaced and close to the wrist is a positive aspect, offering at least some hope.

The decision to go to Malaysia was made because Martín will be able to undergo the same treatment there as he could have received in Spain. It also leaves the door open to trying to race next week. However, as we said, it is too early to know at this stage.

Early this morning in Spain, as delays and cancellations unfolded at Phillip Island—eventually leading to the total cancellation of the Grand Prix—Aprilia provided an update on the condition of the Madrid-born rider, who had undergone a CT scan to assess a potential fracture of the distal end of his right ulna.

In a statement, Aprilia clarified that the only confirmed injury was the previously identified non-displaced fracture of the distal radius. The team also announced that Martín will not return to Spain, but will instead undergo the necessary treatment over the coming days.

These details suggest that Martín’s goal is to secure medical clearance next Thursday at the Sepang International Circuit to compete in the Malaysian Grand Prix. He heads into that event trailing Marc Márquez—who took the lead in the overall standings following his Sprint victory—by just ten points.

Regarding this, Paolo Bonora expressed optimism: "We will monitor the situation day by day, but, honestly, he seemed to be doing well this morning, which is very positive for us," the Aprilia Racing team manager told MotoGP, noting that the rider's participation in Sepang will depend on medical evaluations.

"We will certainly work toward that. He is the first one pushing to reach this goal, but we have to wait for medical updates. We are engineers, after all, so we must follow the medical assessments and his physical condition. But we are quite optimistic about it," he emphasized. Massimo Rivola was far more pessimistic. "Very difficult. Very, very difficult," the Aprilia Racing CEO replied during the press conference. "I hope to see Jorge with us in Sepang," he continued, highlighting Martín’s run of bad luck at Aprilia and his own desire to bring the relationship between the two parties to a close in the best possible way.

by Autonews