Jorge Martin claims he is a '100%' better rider after recovering from a serious crash at the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix. He has made a strong start to the 2026 season, currently just four points behind his teammate Marco Bezzecchi in the championship standings.
Photo by Stephen Blackberry/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Photo by Stephen Blackberry/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Jorge Martinās journey back to the top of MotoGP is one that many fans didnāt see coming, especially after his difficult return from a serious crash at the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix.
After spending most of last season recovering, few people expected Martin to kick off 2026 with such a strong start. But heās proving any doubters wrong, sitting just four points behind his Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi in the early championship race.
This season was expected to be a big one for Aprilia and Bezzecchi. The Italian manufacturer had high hopes for their title push, but they might not have counted on Martin playing such a big role in that conversation.
While Aprilia may lean towards supporting Bezzecchi over Martin in the title fight, itās clear that the Spaniard has as good a shot as anyone to win it all this year.
Jorge Martin says more experienced approach has helped improve him as a rider
Photo by Gold & Goose Photography/Getty Images
Photo by Gold & Goose Photography/Getty Images
Jorge Martin spoke to Diario AS about how his attitude towards racing has changed, saying his added maturity is shaping the way he rides now.
Earlier in his career, Martin was more willing to take risks if it meant chasing wins. These days, he prefers to lean on what heās learned over the years and focus on consistently improving.
āIāve matured a lot; itās made me enjoy or see other aspects of life. As a rider, itās clear that now I always avoid unnecessary risks.
āWhen youāre younger, you do go a lot by instinct, and as you get older, you find speed using that experience without being so aggressive. Trying to know when itās time to push when itās time to take it easy; itās something I try to stay very focused on.
āIām the same as always (on a personal level), but Iām definitely a better rider than I was before, thatās 100%. Iām more mature, I have more experience, Iām going faster and itās clear that I hope to keep improving; thatās my daily goal.
āAnd I donāt focus on winning; I focus on being better every day so that the final result is a consequence of all that work.ā
Jorge Martin never thought about F1 retirement after Qatar GP crash
Earlier in the conversation, Martin mentioned that he was determined to get back to MotoGP as soon as he got injured and that the idea of stepping away from the sport never crossed his mind.
āRetirement has never been on my mind. If that thought ever crossed my mind, it was because I couldnāt ride a bike anymore, not because I wanted to retire. I never wanted to do it, I never thought about 2025, and here I am back. Well, not really back, because I never left.
āEverything Iāve done to recover and come back is because (MotoGP) is the meaning of my life. I believe I was born to be a rider, Iāve become a rider, and I wasnāt going to give up when I encountered obstacles.
āOn the contrary, I was going to try to overcome everything. From the moment I was in the hospital, every time something went wrong or didnāt go how we wanted it in terms of recovery⦠in fact, there were days when nothing improved.ā
What happened to Jorge Martin at the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix?
Jorge Martin suffered a serious crash during the 2025 Qatar Grand Prix, which significantly impacted his performance and required a lengthy recovery.
How has Jorge Martin performed in the 2026 MotoGP season?
Jorge Martin has had a strong start to the 2026 MotoGP season, currently sitting just four points behind his teammate Marco Bezzecchi in the championship standings.
What does Jorge Martin mean by being a '100%' better rider?
Jorge Martin believes that his experiences and recovery from the crash have significantly improved his skills and performance as a rider.
What are the expectations for Aprilia and Marco Bezzecchi in the 2026 season?
Aprilia and Marco Bezzecchi were expected to be strong contenders for the championship title in 2026, but Jorge Martin's resurgence has added an unexpected dynamic to their title push.
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