Jorge Martin explains why he’s not focused on the 2026 MotoGP title fight with Marco Bezzecchi yet

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Jorge Martin explains why he’s not focused on the 2026 MotoGP title fight with Marco Bezzecchi yet

Originally posted on HITC | By Kyle Archer | Last updated Apr 17, 2026 1:44 PM ET

Jorge Martin says he is only thinking about beating Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi in each race, not the 2026 title

Jorge Martin says he’s not even considering the 2026 MotoGP riders’ title just yet, with his focus right now on trying to beat Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi in every race.

Martin has put himself in early contention this year after a difficult first season with Aprilia. The 28-year-old missed most of 2025 through injury and didn’t get the chance to defend his 2024 championship, taking part in just eight of the 22 rounds.

The Spaniard managed to start only seven Grands Prix last year after breaking his right hand, left foot, left hand again, collarbone and 11 ribs. He also suffered a hemopneumothorax at the Qatar GP that led to a hospital stay, where he feared for his life.

He also had more surgeries over the winter to fix ongoing issues with his collarbone and left hand. Missing pre-season testing in Sepang meant he started this season underprepared, too. But three rounds into the campaign, he’s just four points behind Bezzecchi at the top of the standings.

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Jorge Martin shifts focus to race wins rather than the 2026 MotoGP title

Aprilia have also seen Martin secure his first podiums aboard the RS-GP, after his P2 finishes in Brazil and the United States. Also, Martin won the Sprint at COTA for his first victory as an Aprilia star, but Bezzecchi leads the standings as he has won the three Grands Prix staged so far.

After such a tough year in 2025, Martin isn’t prioritising another title fight just yet. Instead, he’s putting all his attention on challenging for wins each week and will only start thinking about championship implications closer to the season’s end.

Martin said via quotes by MARCA: “I won’t think about the world championship until the end of the year, but it’s clear that Aprilia have taken a big step forward.

“We’re fighting for every race. That’s the goal. Fighting for a world championship is a much bigger deal, and it will be very difficult. But we have started off on the right foot and it is important to maintain this level.”

The Spaniard left Pramac Racing for Aprilia ahead of last season after missing out on a factory Ducati promotion to Marc Marquez. Since then, Martin has established himself within Aprilia’s setup and was previously expected to play second fiddle this term until injuries gave him an unexpected opening.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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