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Aprilia on Jorge Martin: ‘Unhappy riders have fought for MotoGP titles’
Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola acknowledges that riders have been vying for world titles while feeling discontent with their current MotoGP teams, a sentiment reflected in the ongoing reconciliation talks with Jorge Martin. Despite Aprilia’s high-profile signing of Martin in light of Ducati’s change of plans, the relationship has soured recently, with Martin seeking to leave the team due to a performance clause in his contract. As Martin’s manager confirms potential options with Honda for the 2026 season, Aprilia vows to contest this and resort to legal action if necessary, signaling a significant escalation in the contract dispute. Rivola voices the priority of retaining Martin for the upcoming season but concedes that the situation has raised doubts about salvaging the relationship in any meaningful manner. Drawing parallels to past conflicts between riders and teams, including Jorge Lorenzo with Yamaha and Valentino Rossi with Honda, Rivola emphasizes the complexities of managing strained partnerships in the high-stakes world of MotoGP.
