Jorge Martin Faces Major Adjustment: Espargaro Highlights Challenges of Ducati-to-Aprilia Switch
Eliška Ryšánková
News.GP journalist who’s all about the thrilling worlds of MotoGP and Formula 1.
Aleix Espargaro has outlined the hurdles Jorge Martin will face when transitioning from Ducati to Aprilia in 2025. With Martin currently leading the MotoGP championship on the dominant Desmosedici, the shift to Aprilia's RS-GP will demand significant adaptation. Espargaro, who has experienced both ends of the competitiveness spectrum, emphasizes that Martin's move will test his adaptability and commitment as he adjusts to a less competitive machine.
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Aleix Espargaro acknowledged the upcoming challenge of switching to a new machine, as Jorge Martin will need to adjust his mindset during his move from Ducati to Aprilia in 2025.
Currently leading the MotoGP championship, Martin will be taking over Espargaro's spot at Aprilia’s factory team next year. While Espargaro spent eight years working his way up from the back of the grid on the RS-GP, Martin has spent his entire career with Pramac Ducati, where he secured a victory in just his sixth grand prix.
Ducati’s Desmosedici has dominated this year’s championship, filling the top four positions in the standings and winning every grand prix except for COTA.
Aprilia has also secured victories, with Maverick Vinales winning at COTA and Sprints at Portimao, COTA, and Catalunya. However, Ducati has been unbeaten in Sprints and Grand Prix over the past seven rounds, while Aprilia has struggled in recent events at Aragon and Misano.
As a result, Vinales has fallen behind KTM’s riders Brad Binder and Pedro Acosta, placing seventh in the championship, with Espargaro in ninth. For Martin, dealing with a bike that isn’t at the same level as Ducati’s will be a new challenge. Espargaro pointed out, “Jorge will have to adjust because, while I came from P20 and worked my way up to victories with a less competitive bike, he’ll be moving from the best bike, where he’s been winning races and being the fastest in every session.”
Espargaro continued, “Switching to a less competitive bike won’t be easy. But Jorge chose Aprilia over other options, so he has no regrets. It’s going to be tough, but he needs to be fully committed. Aprilia has the potential to tailor the bike to him, and he has the speed to become the top rider at Aprilia. Nothing is easy, but he will make it work.”
Heading into the second Misano round, Martin’s lead over reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia has been reduced to just seven points following a costly pit-stop error at the San Marino Grand Prix. “He knows he made a mistake, but it will make him stronger,” Espargaro said. “It’s all part of the process.”
