Why Jorge Martin agreed with Aprilia pre-race to retire from MotoGP Valencia Grand Prix - 'I didn't want this to happen'

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Jorge Martin revealed it was always the plan between him and his Aprilia team for him to withdraw from the MotoGP Valencia Grand Prix on Sunday. The 2024 world champion returned from injury, which had kept him sidelined since the Grand Prix of Japan in September, and was carrying a double long lap penalty. He pulled into the pitlane to retire on Lap 14, bringing an end to his 2025 season.

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Jorge Martin revealed it was always his plan to retire early from MotoGP Valencia Grand Prix, and explained why it made "no sense" for him to be among the other riders.

Martin returned for the final weekend of the 2025 season following a collarbone injury he sustained in Japan, two months earlier.

The 2024 champion was carrying a double long lap penalty into the season finale due to a collision in Japan, and the Spaniard deliberately ran off at Turn 1, aiming to avoid any potential incident.

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By the end of Lap 14, Martin was in the pitlane and had retired from the grand prix, knowing little would change the outcome of his season. He explained afterwards that it was always the plan between him and Aprilia.

"It’s difficult to decide, because you can have a strategy," he said. "But, when you start, you know what can happen.

"But I saw perfectly the place where to go, and I just went out of the race.

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"There was no sense for me to be in the pack, because as you saw with [Johann] Zarco and Pecco [Bagnaia crashing].

"So, I didn’t want this to happen to me. So, I just went out. I did my two long laps, and then I just tried to understand some things on the bike.

"I was really tired the whole weekend, so the target was already to stop the race.

"We spoke with the team, and the intelligent decision was to stop after a few laps.

"Already I did 14 or 15 laps, a bit more than yesterday, which was a good sign. But I was very tired and in pain, so it made no sense to continue."

He added: "The team told me on the pitboard, so as soon as they told me, I did one more lap.

"I just wanted to say ‘hi’ to my fan club. It’s strange because here in Valencia, it's always super nice to end the season, and you can celebrate coming back to the box.

"But this time I couldn’t do it."

When Martin was on his bike, he was seen to be gathering data. MotoGP testing for the 2026 season begins on Tuesday, and asked what exactly he was looking for, Martin replied: "Today, I changed a few things on the bike that were in a direction.

"Just for some information. We know some more. We know that it’s not the way.

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"Worked on the maps a bit, understanding what I need on this bike.

"I feel we are improving and making steps.

"But the important thing will be Tuesday, because I’m still not 100%, and then the next time on the bike in February I will be ready to risk and take those three, four tenths that I’m missing for the victory."

Martin's title defence was ultimately unsuccessful in a season blighted by injury. He finished 21st in the overall standings, and did not manage to record a race victory.

Marc Marquez's seventh world title was wrapped up well before the final weekend of racing in Valencia, while the second-placed spot belonging to his younger brother, Alex, was also ensured.

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