Reigning MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin, who had suffered a setback in pre-season testing, has recently broken his hand in a training accident, ruling him out of next month’s Argentina Grand Prix.

MotoGP’s chief doctor, Angel Charte, confirmed on Thursday that Martin’s recovery from his left-hand fracture has been progressing slowly. As a result, Martin will miss the Argentina Grand Prix, which will be yet another setback. This means his much-anticipated race debut with Aprilia will have to wait until Round 3 at the US Grand Prix in Austin.

Despite his setback, Martin remains optimistic. “He is in high spirits, as always,” Charte told TV broadcaster DAZN. “Our main concern is ensuring the scaphoid bone heals properly. Dr. Xavier Mir and I have spoken with him, and for now, he will definitely miss Thailand and Argentina.”

Charte also emphasized the importance of a careful recovery. “It’s a slow process. If the fracture doesn’t heal correctly, it could cause long-term issues. We’ll likely conduct a test before Texas to assess his fitness.”

With his Argentina absence now confirmed, Martin’s return depends on his recovery and passing the important fitness tests before the US Grand Prix. So, fans will have to wait a little bit longer to see his comeback.