Jorge Martin has revealed that he had already signed a contract to join the factory Ducati team for the 2023 MotoGP season before the deal was unexpectedly reversed.
Speaking on the Gypsy Tales podcast, the Spaniard said Ducati initially selected him for the coveted seat but later informed him that they wanted another rider.
“I had already signed the contract. Then they told me, ‘You’re not going there. We want another rider.'”
The seat ultimately went to Enea Bastianini, who earned promotion after an impressive 2022 campaign with Gresini, winning four races and finishing third in the championship.
Martin remained with Pramac and continued to prove his worth, eventually capturing the 2024 MotoGP world title aboard Ducati machinery.
The revelation adds another chapter to Martin’s complicated relationship with Ducati. He was again overlooked for the factory team ahead of the 2025 season despite being considered the frontrunner for the seat. Ducati eventually chose Marc Marquez after the eight-time world champion made it clear he would not ride a factory-spec bike for Pramac.
As a result, Martin signed a two-year deal with Aprilia and left Ducati as the reigning MotoGP champion.
The comments provide fresh insight into the behind-the-scenes negotiations that shaped several major rider moves and one of the most significant transfer sagas in recent MotoGP history.
