Jorge Martin has opened up about his recent dip in form aboard the Aprilia MotoGP bike, attributing his struggles to drifting too far from the set-up that delivered early-season success.
After a strong start to the 2024 campaign—including a sprint win in the USA and double victories at the French Grand Prix—Martin’s momentum has stalled. Since his second-place finishes in Italy, the Spanish rider has managed just one podium in the last four rounds.
Martin explained that frequent set-up changes have taken his Aprilia “quite far away” from the baseline that worked so well earlier in the year. Unlike other riders who maintain a stable configuration, Martin’s team has been adjusting the bike for each circuit—an approach he now believes may not suit the Aprilia.
“I see that the other riders are more stable with their bikes. They know what they have, and they just go,” he said. “From my side of the box, we are always trying to adapt the bike, but maybe this is not the way for the Aprilia.”
Martin emphasized the importance of analyzing past performances to identify what worked during his fastest periods and to avoid unnecessary adjustments moving forward. He also mentioned that, while a recent back injury may have briefly affected his confidence, his main challenge at the German Grand Prix was finding the bike’s limit—specifically with front-end grip.
Looking ahead, Martin is focused on hard work during the summer break and making key changes for the second half of the season. “We need to understand during this summer break to start the second part of the season a bit stronger,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Martin managed to fend off a late attack from Pecco Bagnaia in Germany, securing valuable points and maintaining his championship lead. His goal now is clear: regain his winning form by returning to a proven set-up and refining his riding style for a stronger finish to the year.
