JORGE MARTIN SAYS 2025 INJURIES CHANGED HIS VIEW ON DOMINATING LIKE CONOR MCGREGOR

Jorge Martin says his outlook has changed dramatically after an injury-plagued 2025 season that he describes as the “darkest moment” of his career—an experience that has also led him to reject the mindset associated with UFC star Conor McGregor.

Martin, who joined Aprilia as the reigning MotoGP champion in 2025 after winning the 2024 title with Pramac, was unable to defend his crown. His campaign began with a crash at the Sepang test, and it quickly turned into a run of serious setbacks. He suffered a life-threatening crash in Qatar, then another injury in Japan. By the end of the year, after fractures to his right hand, left foot and left hand, along with 11 broken ribs, a broken right collarbone and a hemopneumothorax, Martin finished 21st in the standings. Even after recovering, he still faced further medical work, requiring additional surgeries on his left hand and collarbone.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport, Martin singled out the Valencia period as the turning point. He said: “The injuries – the physical pain – are the worst thing. But everything that’s happened to me has helped me grow, to improve myself. But perhaps the darkest moment was last year in Valencia when, after a season full of problems, I realised I needed to undergo two more surgeries, on a hand and a collarbone.”

He added that the recovery period left him feeling helpless at home: “I had hoped I could have a good winter, good preparation for the season. Instead, I found myself at home unable to do anything on my own, not even go to the bathroom.” Martin framed his current position as proof that he can overcome difficult circumstances, saying: “That’s why it’s wonderful to be where I am now, at the top of the table. I’ve proven to myself that I’m capable of getting out of really difficult situations.”

Those experiences have also shifted how he views competition. Martin previously aligned with a results-driven mentality, but he now says he is less focused on outcomes and more focused on improvement. He explained: “More than a few things have changed. Before, I was very dependent on results, even in terms of morale.” Now, he said, results no longer motivate him: “Now, I really don’t care about results. They’re no longer my motivation. Now, it’s more about how I can improve race after race. The results then become a consequence.”

Martin’s comments also touch on McGregor’s famous ambition. The UFC icon’s motto—“we’re not here to take part, we’re here to take over”—was referenced after an event in Dublin in 2014. Martin says he no longer agrees with that approach for himself. Instead, he describes his current mindset as living in the present and enjoying the moment, saying: “I’m still a Martinator, just in a different way, let’s say I’ve become a Martinator with a little more awareness – more awareness of myself, and my sport.”

The change in attitude has coincided with a strong return to form in his second season with Aprilia, which is also his final season with the manufacturer before moving to Yamaha for 2027. Martin currently leads the MotoGP riders’ standings after 11 of the 22 rounds, holding a 14-point advantage over Ai Ogura of Trackhouse.

His rise has come even though he has only one Grand Prix win so far. Aprilia has seen him deliver both Sprint and Grand Prix success, including a double in France at Le Mans in May (round five). Earlier in the year, Martin also took a Sprint Race win at the United States Grand Prix in March (round three), but he has not yet returned to the top step of the podium since the French GP.

Despite the results, Martin says he still does not feel fully at one with the Aprilia RS-GP. He has continued to search for performance gains, particularly under braking, even as he leads the championship.