MotoGP 2024 champion Jorge Martin is set to return for the season opener after missing most of the pre-season testing due to injury. Despite a tough start, Martin is determined to be back on track for the season opener in Buriram from February 28 to March 2.

Just a week ago, Martin was given the green light by his doctors after his surgery on his right hand, which he fractured during the Sepang test. He also had a left foot injury, though it didn’t require surgery. Since then, he has been recovering at home, giving his body time to heal before he jumps back into the action.

Some sources close to Martin have confirmed that he is making steady progress. “Jorge is doing well and is planning to start training next week to build up his physical condition for Thailand,” said a close associate. “He will definitely be at the first race. The key now is to see if he can regain some strength before traveling. He has a medical check-up early next week to assess his fractures and determine if he can start training.”

With only about two weeks left before the race, Martin will have just a few days to prepare physically. However, his motivation remains high, particularly after seeing Aprilia’s strong performance in testing. His teammate Marco Bezzecchi impressed with the third-fastest lap in Buriram and consistent long-run pace.

“Jorge is always eager to stay informed. He regrets missing the tests, but he has been in constant communication with us,” said Aprilia’s technical director, Pablo Bonora. “He’s full of energy and wants to know every detail about the parts we’ve tested. Our main focus has been on making the bike more manageable, and a big part of that improvement comes from the new 2025 engine.”

While Aprilia has made progress in developing the bike, Martin’s absence meant that the team had to rely on their test rider Lorenzo Savadori. “We were working with Jorge in mind the whole time,” said Savadori. “He asks about everything, every little detail. We’ve been refining the setup to make sure he can quickly adapt once he’s back on the bike.”

Despite Bezzecchi’s strong test performance, Aprilia is excited to have Martin back. “We need his feedback, and we’re excited to have him back,” Bonora added. “His recovery is going well, and we hope he can quickly regain confidence on the bike. To be honest, we’re treating the first four races—Thailand, Argentina, Austin, and Qatar—as a testing phase for Jorge. Since he missed the crucial Sepang and Buriram tests, he’ll need time to adapt from Ducati to Aprilia. It won’t be easy, but we’re committed to giving him the best possible setup.”