Aprilia says Australian Grand Prix cancellation spared Jorge Martín a major points loss

“The cancellation was good for Jorge; he could have lost many more points,” Aprilia said after the Australian MotoGP Grand Prix was called off. The decision was met within the team with caution, but also with some relief. Massimo Rivola defended that position after the cancellation of the main race at Phillip Island was announced.

The team executive said he understood Marco Bezzecchi’s disappointment at seeing a chance slip away. “I’m sure Marco is a little angry because he saw an opportunity. And I think Jorge is happy,” he said. He also expressed regret for the spectators who had been there since early in the day and felt the final stage deserved a better ending.

For Aprilia, the cancellation also meant Jorge Martín did not have to start while suffering a non-displaced fracture of the distal radius in his right arm. The team believes surgery is unnecessary and that recovery will depend on how long the bone takes to heal. Bezzecchi, meanwhile, was due to start the Sunday race, the 18th of the 2026 season, from seventh on the grid. Aprilia believes he could have made an impression at the Australian circuit.

Rivola acknowledged that the team had come to race and that Phillip Island was among the sport’s iconic events, while also referring to the track conditions and the speed of the motorcycles. He said he had brought his family for this final race at Phillip Island, making the trip without a race. Given Jorge Martín’s condition, however, he considered not racing the better option, even at Sepang.

The executive also recalled that after the Sprint, Martín had lost the championship lead and left Australia ten points behind Marc Márquez. He described the situation between Aprilia and the rider as “quite unfortunate”, while praising Martín’s Sprint performance and saying he hoped to see him at Sepang. “We certainly won’t give up,” he said.

Aprilia will now work to help Martín take part in the Malaysian Grand Prix the following weekend. Bonora said the decision would depend on the doctors’ assessment and how Martín’s physical condition develops, monitored day by day. “We are quite optimistic,” he concluded.