Hard blow for Jorge Martín and Aprilia in the Australian Grand Prix of MotoGP. The Madrid rider suffered a spectacular fall during the sprint race held at the Phillip Island circuit, an accident that could seriously complicate his aspirations to conquer the World Championship in 2026. Martín went down at turn 8 with six laps to go and was contesting the first position with Marc Márquez. The fall forced medical services to intervene, who transported him on a stretcher to an ambulance and, subsequently, to the circuit's medical center.
The initial tests confirmed a fracture in the distal radius of the right arm, as well as a possible fracture in the ulna of the same limb. The Aprilia team reported the injuries after the rider was examined by the circuit doctors, although it will still be necessary to conduct further tests to determine their extent and establish treatment.
Jorge Martín may need surgery after his fall in Phillip Island
Doctor Franco Perona, Aprilia's doctor, explained in statements to DAZN that the initial diagnosis points to a fracture of the distal radius and another possible bone injury that still needs to be confirmed. "We also suspect another fracture of the ulna of the same arm", noted the physician, who insisted on the need to perform a computed tomography (CT) scan before making decisions.
The main question is whether Jorge Martín will have to undergo surgery, a possibility that the team does not rule out, but which will depend on the results of the upcoming examinations. Aprilia is also working on organizing his transfer to continue with the medical evaluation, an operation that presents logistical difficulties due to the distance between Australia and Spain.
Despite the seriousness of the accident, the rider himself wanted to convey calm after leaving the medical center. "I feel good. It was an ugly fall, I felt a lot of pain", he explained to reporters. Martín acknowledged that he initially feared a more significant injury and assured that it will be necessary to wait for the tests scheduled in Melbourne to decide how to face the coming days.
His presence in the Malaysian Grand Prix, scheduled for next week in Sepang, remains uncertain. The Madrid rider has not ruled out competing, although the decision will be conditioned by the evolution of the fracture and the assessment of specialists.
Raúl Fernández is also out of the Australian Grand Prix
The day has brought another bad news for Aprilia. Raúl Fernández, driver of the Trackhouse team, has been declared unfit to compete in the main race of the Australian Grand Prix after the discomfort from a fracture in his right index finger worsened.
The Spanish driver suffered that injury during the start of the sprint race of the Indonesian Grand Prix and has not yet fully recovered. After being examined again by the doctors, it has been decided that he will not participate in the race on Sunday at Phillip Island.
Fernández will travel to Malaysia with the intention of recovering and undergoing a new medical evaluation before the next grand prix. His participation will depend on whether the inflammation decreases and he can ride with guarantees.
In this way, Aprilia faces a complicated weekend in Australia, with Jorge Martín awaiting new tests and Raúl Fernández ruled out for the main race. The evolution of the Madrid native will be especially important to determine if he can continue competing for the 2026 MotoGP world title.