Aprilia: MotoGP to evaluate special test ahead of Martin’s comeback

Aprilia Racing team manager Paulo Bonora has confirmed that the factory squad has requested special permission for injured world champion Jorge Martin to test on his MotoGP machine before a return to action in Qatar next month. 

Martin revealed yesterday that he would not heal in time for the Americas Grand Prix at the end of March, but that the following race in Qatar looked “50/50”. 

The reigning world champion also mentioned his desire to test, given that he missed a large amount of pre-season preparation due to the February crash at Sepang that heralded the unfortunate run of injuries that has kept him out of action thus far.

His team boss Bonora moved the story on during Friday practice for this weekend’s Argentina GP at Termas de Rio Hondo, when he explained Aprilia’s push for a change in the strict testing regulations that would allow Martin to test his race machine.

“We are talking about the possibility of Jorge testing on the MotoGP bike,” he said. “We think it’s a very good idea, and not only for us.

“That’s because often in recent years, riders have come back to the race track and weren’t able to ride the MotoGP bike. They decided to cancel their weekend after only one or two laps. 

“So we think that for safety reasons it’s a very good option for everybody. Allowing a test with the MotoGP bike can improve safety for everybody and also the show. 

“We thought about him riding a production bike to evaluate whether he is good to ride, but it’s not the same. The weight, the power, the reaction of the tyres…are completely different.”

Under the rules, Martin, who joined Aprilia from Pramac Ducati over the winter, would not be allowed to test a MotoGP bike outside of official test sessions.

Aprilia is thus asking for an adjustment or an exception to the rules, which will require approval from MotoGP promoter Dorna as well as other manufacturers.

“We are putting this on the table with Dorna initially, and then the plan is to talk to the other manufacturers,” explained Bonora. “It’s necessary to have their approval because it’s necessary to make a change in the regulation.

“The plan would be for him to test with our MotoGP bike two or three days before the Doha weekend, in order to be sure of his health situation. It would be in Europe, probably at Misano.”

Bonora also shed light on why a return for the Americas GP in two weeks was not an option.

“We preferred to avoid [Americas GP venue] Austin because it’s one of the most demanding tracks in terms of rideability,” he said.

“The rider has to put a lot of force on the handlebars and on the foot peg, so we prefer to take more time for him, to give him the chance to achieve 100% health.”

Martin’s team-mate Marco Bezzecchi represented Aprilia well in Argentina on Friday, looking competitive all day and breezing into Saturday’s Q2 with the fourth-fastest time in the Friday afternoon practice session.

The Italian was the first rider of the day to break the circuit lap record, which had stood since 2014.