Reigning MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin has been taken to hospital following a heavy crash during the Qatar Grand Prix, marking a dramatic setback in his return to competition after a lengthy injury layoff.
The Aprilia rider had been absent for the opening three rounds of the 2025 season due to multiple injuries, including a fractured left wrist sustained during pre-season testing in Malaysia and another crash during training before the Thai GP. Cleared to race this weekend in Lusail, Martin was looking to regain momentum.
He qualified 14th, narrowly missing out on a Q2 slot, and finished 16th in Saturday’s Sprint race. In Sunday’s 22-lap Grand Prix, Martin was running outside the points when he crashed heavily at Turn 12 on lap 14. Marshals immediately attended to him at the side of the track before he was transferred to the medical centre for evaluation.
Aprilia later confirmed that Martin did not sustain any injuries to his limbs but did suffer a rib contusion and a pneumothorax (collapsed lung). He remains conscious and stable but has been taken to hospital for a CT scan and further tests.
In a brief statement, Aprilia said:
“Jorge Martin suffered a chest trauma. The rider is conscious and without problems with his limbs. Rib contusion on the right thorax with pneumothorax. He will be taken to the hospital for a CT scan for in-depth investigation.”
Martin’s return to form has been halted once again, and his participation in the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez in two weeks is now uncertain. The post-race test at Jerez on the following Monday was expected to be a key opportunity for Martin to continue adapting to the Aprilia RS-GP.
It was a tough weekend overall for the Aprilia squad, with Marco Bezzecchi finishing 10th and over 14 seconds behind race winner Marc Marquez.
