Jorge Martin searching for “confidence” after…

Reigning MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin said he was “very happy” to be back after finishing just shy of the points on his return to MotoGP following a long period of recovery.

Starting from 12th, the Spanish rider had an incredible start, working his way up to sixth by Turn 1. He slowly slipped down the grid from there, but still finished 11th, just over a second behind Pol Espargaro, who claimed the final points spot in ninth.

Marc Marquez took victory in the sprint from Pedro Acosta and Enea Bastianini in second and third respectively.

“I’m very happy,” said Martin after the race, “To be back racing is amazing.

“I was a bit nervous before the race. I was a bit scared because of the start, because I thought qualifying would be a bit better, so the position was a bit more in front. But 12th was what I could do.

Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team (Photo by: Aprilia Racing)

“Finally, I was focused, tried to do a great start. I was on the inside, was more or less a good position, and at the first corner I was sixth, so it was great!

“Then, I tried to make laps, tried to learn. This is the moment I’m going through. Trying to make laps, trying to get confidence, and yeah, believing in the process because it’s a long way to go.”

During pre-season testing in Thailand, Martin suffered a crash that resulted in fractures to his left hand, which ruled him out of races until the Qatar GP.

He then suffered another crash upon his return in Qatar, resulting in further injuries – including a collapsed lung and multiple rib fractures. The Czech GP marked his first time back racing since April.

“I’m getting confidence every lap, so this was great,” he continued. “Then with the setup I finally felt that I have a limit, so now we have to push further than the limit.

Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing (Photo by: MotoGP)

“But anyway, now it doesn’t matter if I finish 11th, fourth, fifth… I don’t really care. The important thing is to make laps, to get confidence and to grow.”

When asked how he felt physically on the bike, he replied: “The body is good. It’s improving. Today, for sure, the right part of the body was tired because not only is everything right [right turns], but also the ribs were on the right side.

“So, I feel okay. Just need to keep rolling, keep getting confidence, and that’s it.”

Despite Martin revealing his initial intentions to leave Aprilia at the end of the season, triggering an exit clause that stated if he was not in championship contention by the French GP he could leave, it was announced on 17 July that Martin would remain with the team for 2026.

He subsequently said he was ready to “build” his relationship with the team, and has already started to notice where the bike needs improving.

“I am getting more and more confidence every lap, but now I feel that the rear is moving, the front is locking, so that is where we need to improve," he said.

“Also, when you are alone, everything is good, but when you are in the pack, everything gets hotter and I need to understand how the Aprilia works in this condition, because I am used to another bike.

“I think we will get to where we want. It’s just a matter of time.”