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/1542841
the team launch. But he's con- fident that won't hold him back come the start of the season. "I'm sure I'll be 100 percent." It has since emerged in the Spanish publication El Confi- dencial that Martin underwent surgery twice in December to address persistent issues he had had with the left wrist he broke last February and the displaced collarbone fracture he sustained in September's Japa - nese Grand Prix. While Martin could still be present at Sepang, to measure the factory's off-season prog- ress with his own eyes, a source close to the team feels his par- ticipation will be unlikely. "Mentally, it's tough," Martin said with reference to his recent injury comeback. "Anytime that you have bad moments in life, you just doubt everything. [But] as soon as [I'm ready], I feel nobody can stop me." new 850cc is up and running and will make its track debut soon. "It's really challenging, but we're super prepared," he said. "The engine is running on the test bench in testing mode to confirm reliability. We're think - ing the first prototype will be on track at the beginning of spring. It's already done, but it's in the test phase indoors." After going to hell and back in 2025, Jorge Martin has said he's "still full of hope" that he can make a success of his Aprilia move and even indicated he'd favor staying with the Italian factory beyond this season. Yet it emerged after the team presentation that he is unlikely to be riding at the Sepang test, as he recovers further from the wrist and collarbone injuries he sustained last year. The former Moto3 and MotoGP World Champion rated his current level of fitness at "75 percent" at two areas of focus of develop - ment, along with electronics, over the off-season, according to technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini. "[Last] season we focused [on] the comments of the rider to have an easy bike. I always say that you can have whatever level of performance, but if the bike isn't difficult to be pushed to the limit, the rider will keep some margin." "In the electronics we work for sure in the area of traction control, especially, for the exit on the corner and also in the entry. Because whenever you can exploit the benefit of the rear tire to stop the bike, later you can brake. And then you can be more effective during the overtake, but also a better lap time." It's been a busy winter for all MotoGP factories as they pre - pare for the 2027 rule changes. Sterlacchini also revealed its Trackhouse Aprilia have opted for two different colorways for 2026, with Ai Ogura (left) running the legendary Gulf Oil colors and Raul Fernandez (right) sticking with the team's traditional light blue. P92 FEATURE I 2026 MOTOGP TEAM LAUNCH REVIEW