MotoGP champion Martin rides again and plots return

New Straits Times

3 days ago

PARIS: Reigning MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin, who has not finished a race this season after a series of heavy crashes, climbed back on his bike yesterday (July 9), the Aprilia team said.
Martin missed the first three races of the season after two pre-season crashes.
He started in Qatar in April, but crashed on lap 14, suffering injuries including 11 broken ribs.
He has missed the last six races.
During that time he has been in dispute with Aprilia, who he joined from Ducati satellite team Pramac after winning last season's world title.
"The goal of the day is to reacquaint Jorge with a MotoGP bike... after months of inactivity," said Aprilia, adding that the Spaniard completed 29 laps yesterday morning and 35 in the afternoon at the Misano track in Italy.
There are races in Germany this weekend and in Brno in the Czech Republic the following week before MotoGP's summer break.
"Jorge, next week, will be travelling to Brno to take part in the Grand Prix of Czechia after the official medical check," said Aprilia.
Martin said he was happy to be riding again.
"It's been a difficult journey," he said.
"After more than three months I am back on a MotoGP bike."
"Really looking forward to come back really soon because the feeling today was great," he added.
"The plan is to come back in Brno."
The Spaniard has been at odds with the Italian manufacturer after making it known that he intended to activate a release clause in his contract at the end of the season.