Aprilia vs Martin – what’s next as world champion intends to leave?

Four days have passed since Marco Bezzecchi triumphed at Silverstone, defying most predictions in an unexpected twist to the plot involving Jorge Martin and Aprilia – one worthy of Alfred Hitchcock himself.

Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia’s racing division, seized the moment to highlight the potential of the RS-GP, while also urging the Spaniard to reconsider his intention to walk away at the end of the season, thus rendering the second year of his contract void.

Explicitly or otherwise, Rivola aimed to emphasise that the reigning world champion is doubly mistaken in his assessment of the situation; both in his interpretation of the performance clause he’s invoking to try to leave, and in his evaluation of the bike itself.

The statement issued by Aprilia exactly a week ago ruled out any possibility of extending the agreed trial period (six grand prix events), and referred the rider back to the obligations he agreed to. On Sunday, buoyed by the victory, Rivola adopted a more empathetic tone: “The message we want to send Jorge is that the bike is ready for him to win with, too.”

“When we signed, I agreed with Aprilia that if certain conditions weren’t met, I would reserve the right to decide my future for 2026. This was an essential condition for accepting their contract offer at the time,” Martin has effectively replied. “Given that I must make a decision by a contractually stipulated deadline, I’ve decided to exercise my right to free myself for the 2026 season.”

His reaction leaves no room for doubt, and no one can interpret these words as a step back – though neither are they a declaration of war. Autosport understands that Martin’s strategy, guided by one of Spain’s most prestigious law firms, hinges on credibility. He wants to leave no doubt about the existence of the controversial clause, nor about the essential role it played for finalising the deal.

At this point, the two parties seem far from meeting in the middle.

Aprilia not only believes the clause is invalid, because the rider missed five of the six races stipulated as the bike’s trial period, but also refuses to acknowledge that it even exists. Martin, in turn, feels deceived by the same company that convinced him to join the project a year ago, precisely by agreeing to include that clause in the first place.

Now that both sides have made their positions clear, the most logical expectation is that tensions will settle – at least until Martin is ready to return, once he recovers from the multiple injuries sustained in Qatar.

Still, attention will surely turn to Aprilia’s All Stars event, bringing together the Italian brand’s extended family this Sunday at Misano – an appearance Martin is contractually obliged to make.

In more or less explicit terms, Aprilia has made it very clear that it is prepared to go to the bitter end to prevent the Madrid-born rider from getting on a rival bike before 2027. In Le Mans, where everything blew up, Rivola met with Hikaru Tsukamoto, president of HRC, to warn him of the legal risks involved in making an offer to a rider with a valid contract.

That meeting did not prevent Alberto Puig from openly acknowledging Honda’s interest in Martin days later at Silverstone, should he manage to resolve his situation. “Every team in the paddock would be interested in someone like Martin. If they’re not idiots,” said the Japanese team manager – though he did deny that Honda had made any formal offer.

If Aprilia sees only two options – compliance with Martin’s contract clause or legal action – Autosport understands that the defending world champion isn’t keen on going to court. Not because he doubts the strength of his arguments, but for practical reasons. For one, the dispute would be settled in Italy, where Piaggio Group (Aprilia’s parent company) is based. And second, being tied up in a legal battle that could drag on for months would likely scare off potential suitors.

In this tangled situation, the most sensible solution appears to be a negotiated settlement – likely involving compensation – to minimise the damage for both parties.