A week ago, Aprilia surprised by announcing Jorge Martín as a rider from the 2025 MotoGP season. He will replace Aleix Espargaró, with whom he has a close relationship, and thus finally become a factory rider.
The current rider from the Noale-based manufacturer is happy to know that his friend will be his successor: ‘I wish the best for Jorge and for Aprilia, I love them both. For me, it’s a dream that my Aprilia with #41, with all my people in the garage, will be ridden by him next year. It’s something that makes me very happy, both for him and for the team’, he told GPOne.com.
Martín joins Aprilia after missing out on the place he dreamed of in the Ducati factory team. For the third consecutive year, he was passed over in favor of another rider, this time by Marc Márquez despite being the championship leader for several months.
Espargaró has no doubt, however, that Martín will have a brilliant future with Aprilia: ‘He was very sad about what happened with Ducati, but I’m sure that at Aprilia he will find what he needs. He will undoubtedly be an idol, which he deserves. I saw him very happy and excited’.