Phoenix 24
An injured wrist threatens a championship still within reach.
SEPANG, MALAYSIA.
Jorge Martín is attempting to recover from a fractured right wrist in time for the Malaysian MotoGP Grand Prix, with his participation remaining uncertain just days before the championship resumes at Sepang. The Aprilia rider suffered the injury during Saturday’s sprint race at Phillip Island, leaving him facing a difficult medical assessment while trailing championship leader Marc Márquez by only ten points. Despite the significance of the upcoming race, Martín has declined to predict whether he will be fit enough to compete.
The Spanish rider sustained a fracture of the distal radius in his right arm after a violent crash during the Australian Grand Prix sprint. Medical examinations conducted in Melbourne established that the fracture was not displaced and did not require immediate surgery. Although those findings provided some encouragement, the injury affects the wrist responsible for controlling the motorcycle’s throttle and front brake, making a rapid return particularly demanding.
Rather than returning to Spain for recovery, Martín traveled to Malaysia to begin an intensive rehabilitation programme. His treatment is being coordinated with physiotherapist Aitor Tomás, while MotoGP medical director Ángel Charte will assess whether the rider can safely return to competitive action. Any decision concerning his participation will depend on medical clearance rather than the championship implications alone.
In a statement released by Aprilia ahead of the Malaysian round, Martín confirmed that he was receiving treatment intended to improve his condition before the weekend. He emphasized that predicting his availability was impossible and that his recovery needed to be evaluated daily. His remarks reflected caution at a moment when an aggressive return could potentially compromise both physical recovery and competitive performance.
The accident occurred during an intense battle with Márquez for victory in the Australian sprint. Martín lost control at Phillip Island’s eighth corner and suffered a heavy fall into the gravel. Márquez went on to win the shortened race, reclaiming the championship lead and creating a ten-point advantage over his Aprilia rival.
The circumstances surrounding Sunday’s Grand Prix unexpectedly limited the damage to Martín’s title hopes. The main race was canceled because of adverse weather conditions affecting the availability of medical helicopter operations. Consequently, Már