31/07/2025
Rossi's arch-rival is suspected to be the reason Martin wants to stay at Aprilia.
The reconciliation between Jorge Martin and Aprilia has become big news in the MotoGP paddock. Suspicions arose about the person behind the scenes.
The situation between Jorge Martin and Aprilia had been tense due to the reigning MotoGP champion's intention to leave.
Having signed a contract for 2025-2026, Martin wanted to leave a year early by activating a performance clause.
Aprilia took a tough stance. Understandably, Martin's stance came after he had only appeared once in six MotoGP races in 2025 due to a slew of injuries.
The parties involved were not limited to the Noale factory or the Madrid rider.
MotoGP organizer Dorna Sports intervened through CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta when the war of words erupted again at the Dutch GP at the end of June.
"Dorna, MSMA (MotoGP manufacturers' association), and IRTA (team association) will not accept registration for the World Championship for riders who are not free to contract," he told Sky Italia.
Martin's stance finally softened until a special press conference was held to explain his intention to stay at Aprilia next year ahead of last weekend's Czech GP.
Dorna's threats to the dwindling opportunity to find a new team due to the possibility of a protracted dispute.
"Nobody knows what happened in the hospital. When you have 12 broken ribs and can't sleep, what was going through my mind?"
"I was just thinking about what was best for my future," he said defensively, as quoted by GPone.
Meanwhile, suspicions have arisen about who played a role in Martin's change of heart towards Aprilia.
A senior figure in the MotoGP paddock, Carlo Pernat, believes MotoGP legend Max Biaggi played a role.
Pernat pointed to the helmet exchange between Biaggi and Martin before the Czech GP and the frequent contact between the Roman Emperor and Martinator.
"Maybe I'm exaggerating a bit," Pernat said.
"But I think the helmet exchange between Martin and Biaggi in Brno was a bit of a revelation without saying too much."
"It's not that they wanted to hide it... because there's nothing to hide, and it's actually a beautiful thing."
Biaggi was also a key figure at Aprilia. He became an ambassador for winning four 250cc GP world titles on the legendary Aprilia RSV250 in 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1997.
Of course, the public is more familiar with Biaggi as Valentino Rossi's rival, due to their heated rivalry at the turn of the millennium.
Pernat, who knew Rossi and Biaggi personally when he was Aprilia's sporting director, was even more convinced by the latter's racing prowess.
"He has a special character and was a stubborn jerk in the past, but he's very different now."
"I'm very sure he's taking it seriously."
"Furthermore, because of his nature, he doesn't care about publicity to get credit for this matter," said the man who once managed the career of the late Marco Simoncelli.
According to Pernat, Biaggi's extensive experience and background as a champion racer made his words more palatable to Martin.
Pernat himself believes that Biaggi acted not to impose suggestions but to offer support to Martin, who was facing a difficult situation.
The barrage of injuries made Martin doubt his future as a racer.
"Imagine you're a young champion at the worst moment in your life and career, being pulled this way and that," Pernat added.
"At some point, a legend offers a shoulder to lean on and perhaps makes you realize a lot of things you hadn't thought about all that you've been through."
"Did you realize that it was entirely possible for something like that to happen?"
