Manuel Pecino Analyzes Jorge Martín’s Contract Break with Aprilia
Following the French Grand Prix at Le Mans, it emerged that Jorge Martín had requested to terminate his contract with Aprilia. Motorsport journalist Manuel Pecino offered insights into the reasons behind this unexpected move. According to Pecino, the Italian team has been underperforming lately—so much so that both Yamaha and Honda, previously considered non-competitive until 2025, have surpassed them. This lack of competitiveness seems to be a central issue in Martín’s decision.
The contract between Martín and Aprilia included a clause requiring the rider to make a decision about continuing with the team after six races. However, as Pecino points out, Jorge hasn’t had the chance to even ride the bike due to an injury. “Obviously, Jorge can’t fairly decide without having tested the bike,” Pecino explained.
Faced with this dilemma, Martín’s side suggested a compromise: since his injury—sustained while doing his job—prevented him from riding, they proposed postponing the decision date. Jorge would first compete in several races, assess the bike’s performance, and only then decide whether to continue.
“There’s no logic in forcing a rider to race on a bike he doesn’t want to ride,” Pecino emphasized. He also defended Martín against accusations of disloyalty. “Don’t talk about disloyalty with Jorge Martín—he was the one betrayed last year by Ducati,” he stated, referring to how Ducati passed him over for a factory seat despite his achievements.
According to Pecino, many fans and commentators underestimate the motivations of professional riders. “When they enter the championship, they dream of becoming world champions—not of earning the biggest paycheck. They seek sporting success and recognition for their efforts,” he explained. In this light, a rider’s decision to walk away from a struggling team should be seen as a logical pursuit of performance, not disloyalty.
Pecino also noted that Aprilia’s project lost direction after the departure of key figure Romano Albesiano, which affected the technical leadership and perhaps contributed to the bike’s current lack of competitiveness.
He added that Aprilia might consider enforcing the contract through legal channels, keeping Martín tied up until 2027—even if it means benching him for a year. “That could end up in court, but Aprilia might think it’s a way to make a point if he doesn’t want to stay,” Pecino suggested.
Speculation continues about Martín’s future. According to Pecino, only one factory seat remains open—at Honda. If Aprilia is performing at a level similar to Honda’s, Martín could be considering that move. However, Pecino believes Honda will only act once Martín is officially released from his contract.
In summary, Martín’s request to part ways with Aprilia stems from a mix of injury-related complications, performance concerns, and an unresolved professional goal: to compete at the highest level with a competitive bike. Whether his next chapter will be with Honda—or another surprise contender—remains to be seen.
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