Reigning MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin says input from rival Marc Marquez was significant in helping him not to rush his recovery or his return to action.

Having missed most of pre-season testing due to an accident in Sepang, Martin has also been absent from the first three rounds of the 2025 season following a training crash he described as “nasty”. Ahead of the Aprilia rider’s planned return to racing in Qatar next weekend, Martin spoke exclusively with Motorsport.com and reflected on Marquez’s contribution.

“Marc [Marquez] and other riders, like Pecco [Bagnaia], told me to take my time – not to rush things,” said the Madrid man. “That was the best advice. In Marc’s case, what he says about these things carries a lot of weight because he was injured for a long time.”

Although Marquez is now fully fit, his career was derailed by a crash at Jerez in 2020. His recovery process was complicated by his attempt to return from that injury too soon.

“He said it from the heart,” continued Martin. “It’s nice when your rivals show concern for you because it also means they want to see you back on track, fighting for the [major places] alongside them. When you see a colleague suffering, you really empathise with them.”

In keeping with his no-rush policy, Martin says he will be taking it easy in his first races back. With any slim hopes of a world championship defence now gone, there is little to be gained by chasing maximum points.

Furthermore, the 2025 Aprilia does not yet look like a winning motorcycle. None of the four riders across the factory or Trackhouse teams have scored a top-three finish so far this season, with rookie Ai Ogura coming closest thus far with fourth place in the Thailand opener.

“I’m approaching this with a lot of excitement but without the pressure of having to go out and win immediately,” continued Martin. “The first few races, until I feel comfortable, I will take more calmly. I need to grow alongside Aprilia.

“The truth is, when I come back, I won’t be at 100%. Given my current situation, with a new bike, my goal is to get in as many laps as possible. The most important thing is that when I get back on the bike, my physical condition allows me to ride properly.

“I need to clearly identify my objective. I’m someone who is driven by goals, and I need to be very clear about what my target will be for Qatar.”

Martin also revealed that he intended to confront the circuit where the training accident occurred aboard a Supermoto machine in February.

“That crash won’t happen to me again,” he declared. “I will go back to that track because I want to face it. I know what I did wrong, and I won’t do it again.”

Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team

Photo by: Aprilia Racing

Martin confirmed that this accident was the toughest he has had to deal with in his career so far.

“The one in Portimao [in 2023] is still very fresh in my mind, but this one was even more violent – really nasty. On top of that, it caused complicated fractures, which is what has frustrated me the most. I had three fractures in my hand, four in my foot, and something in my rib that we still don’t fully understand.

“[But] these experiences teach you things on a mental level because they show you that everything passes and that, sooner or later, you’ll see the light again.”