JORGE MARTIN HOPES TO TAKE TRUSTED APRILIA CREW CHIEF TO YAMAHA

Jorge Martin has named the Aprilia colleague he hopes to bring with him when he moves to Yamaha for the 2027 MotoGP season: chief mechanic David Galacho, known as “Malaguita.”

The 2024 world champion will leave Aprilia after two turbulent years. Injuries disrupted his 2025 campaign, and although he tried to end his contract early, the team did not release him. This season, Martin is leading the championship with six rounds remaining, despite already being committed to Yamaha for next year.

Asked by AS which Aprilia staff member he would take to his new team, Martin praised the people he is leaving behind. “Aprilia has an incredible team. Very intelligent people who work very well together,” he said, adding that the factory achieves a great deal with its resources. He also highlighted the team’s drive to win, saying its members bring new developments to races and run simulations to find ways to improve the setup.

Martin was reluctant to name anyone at first, but then singled out Galacho. “I’d take Malaguita, who is ultimately my trusted confidant, and that also helps me integrate into future projects,” he said. Galacho has worked with Martin since his time at Pramac Ducati and followed him to Aprilia, supporting the rider through his transition to the Noale factory.

Martin will join Ai Ogura at Yamaha, forming a new rider pairing as Fabio Quartararo heads to Honda and Alex Rins is expected to retire. The move has drawn scrutiny because Aprilia is regarded as having one of the strongest bikes on the grid, while Yamaha has struggled: Quartararo is the manufacturer’s highest-placed rider in 2026, in 15th, and Yamaha has not won a race since 2022.

Martin has pushed back against doubts about his decision, saying critics will be proved wrong. Yamaha is concentrating on its 2027 project and the new 850cc bike, giving the Spaniard a major rebuilding challenge. Aleix Espargaro has said Martin wants to lead a Japanese manufacturer, and the Yamaha opportunity could allow him to do so alongside Ogura.