Reigning World Champion Jorge Martin is set to return to MotoGP action at the championship’s next round in Qatar.
Martin missed the opening three rounds of the season due to an injury sustained in training, which saw him suffer three fractures in his left hand.
This injury happened just after the Aprilia rider had recovered from the injuries he picked up following a crash in preseason testing at Sepang that left him with fractures in his right hand and foot.
However, the World Champion is finally set to return to MotoGP action at the Qatar Grand Prix, which begins on 11th April, following a check-up with Dr Xavier Mir who conducted the operation on Martin’s injuries.
“The clinical and radiological examination of the scaphoid, radius and pyramidal fractures of Jorge Martín, present a good evolution that allow [him] to start a new stage in the functional recovery,” Dr Mir said in a statement to Autosport.
“To get to Qatar and see what sensations the rider has in order to be able to participate in the grand prix, always after passing in MotoGP medical control.”
Martin has also been cleared by doctors to increase the intensity of his training ahead of his return to the premier class, including cardiovascular and cycling activities.
Martin is required to undergo another medical evaluation by MotoGP Medical Director Angel Charte ahead of the Qatar weekend, which could allow him the compete in the opening practice session on 11th April.
Aprilia developing MotoGP bike ‘closer to Martin’s demands’
Aprilia test rider Lorenzo Savadori suggested last weekend’s MotoGP round at COTA would be the last weekend he would act as a stand-in for Martin.
The Italian has spent the last three rounds testing the bike to make sure the Spanish rider’s adaptation to the Aprilia is as seamless as it can be, given his limited testing time.
When asked what Martin could expect from the Aprilia, he revealed via GPOne that it would be “different than the one he tried in Barcelona and Malaysia, but developing closer to his demands.”
“On Saturday, we updated him and with the engineers we showed him the telemetry so he knows everything.
“Will it have been useful to spend a weekend in the pits? Actually as a rider, seeing others race hurts like hell but it was good for everyone.”
