Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1521822
Jorge Martin Signs With Aprilia T he MotoGP world was turned on its head on the Monday following the Italian Grand Prix when Aprilia confirmed it had sensationally signed Jorge Martin for the 2025 season to replace the retiring Aleix Espar - garo. This move all but confirms Marc Marquez will step up to the factory Ducati team next year to partner Pecco Bagnaia, after a tense weekend, when he insisted there was a chance of him leav - ing for a rival factory. Monday's news cycle was a stunning turn of events, not least because it appeared Martin was primed for the factory seat on the eve of the Italian GP. Na - tional newspaper Gazetta Dello Sport broke a story, claiming the current World Championship leader had been told by Ducati bosses the factory seat was his next year after his second place in Barcelona. It appears those same bosses had assumed Marquez would gladly accept Martin's seat in Pramac next year on full factory GP25s. This was also a sweet carrot to dangle in front of the satellite squad, who has been in talks to switch to Yamaha machinery next year. Yet Ducati bosses were rocked when Marquez almost said, "Pramac is not an option," on Thursday. Faced with poten - tially losing the eight-time World Champion, the Ducati person- nel charged with making the decision—believed to be CEO Claudio Domenicali and General Manager Gigi Dall'Igna—made a stunning U-turn toward the end of the weekend, as first reported by Motorsport.com on Monday. That left Martin with little op - tion other than leaving. Espar- garo had been pushing for his protege to sign for the Noale factory for weeks and an agree- ment was reached with remark- able speed. He joins Aprilia on a "multi-year contract." "A path of unstoppable growth, Jorge is a building block to reach the goal we are all looking for with great hunger at Aprilia Racing," said Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola. "Thanks to Dr. Michele Colaninno (President of the Piaggio Group) for this opportunity, we spoke last night and without wasting any time we made the decision." That leaves the wait before Ducati announces Marquez as Enea Bastianini's replace - ment for next year. The Catalan has got his way after stating it was his desire to regain a fac- tory seat after a year in Gresini colors. And in a deft maneuver, he's also displaced rival Martin from the Ducati fold. Reigning champion Bagnaia is believed to be against the promotion of Marquez to the factory squad. And the repercussions run fur - ther. The fact Pramac will have neither Marquez nor Martin on their roster means it switching from Ducati to Yamaha machin - ery for 2025 now appears more likely than ever. Neil Morrison WIND IN THE P26 Aprilia snags one of the signs of the year with Martin replacing Espargaro on a multi-year deal. PHOTO: GOLD & GOOSE