Jorge Martin flies to Sepang with broken wrist, targets Malaysian MotoGP return in title fight

Jorge Martin's MotoGP title challenge is not over yet. The Aprilia rider, who fractured his right wrist in the Phillip Island Sprint last Saturday, has travelled straight to Malaysia instead of returning home to Spain and is aiming to race at this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang. Whether he can do so will be decided by the circuit's medical team on Thursday, only days after a crash that looked certain to end his season.

What the scans showed

Martin crashed during the Saturday Sprint at Phillip Island while fighting with championship leader Marc Marquez. Early reports suggested a fractured radius and a possible break of the ulna, but a CT scan in Melbourne ruled out the second fracture. According to Aprilia, the remaining injury is a non-displaced fracture of the distal radius, the part of the forearm bone closest to the wrist. Because the bone has kept its alignment, surgery is not expected to be needed.

That is the key reason a quick return is even being discussed. The injury can still take months to heal fully, and riding a MotoGP bike places heavy demands on the right wrist, which controls the throttle and front brake. Martin would be racing in pain.

The plan to get him on the bike

Martin's physiotherapist, Aitor Tomas, has outlined a staged programme to Italian outlet GPOne. The first phase focuses on bringing down inflammation and restoring movement, using cryotherapy and massage. The second aims to help the bone regenerate, including magnetic therapy. A third phase only begins if Martin is passed fit, with treatment focused on limiting swelling and managing pain during the weekend; painkilling injections may be considered depending on how he feels once riding.

Tomas said the team would "apply a different protocol" from Martin's normal routine. Alpinestars is also preparing a modified right glove with a wider closure so it fits over the elastic tape that will support his wrist.

The decisive moment comes around midday on Thursday, when the championship's medical staff at Sepang must clear Martin to take part in at least Friday's sessions. Aprilia, chasing its first MotoGP riders' title, has said it will not pressure him into racing.

How the washout changed the picture

Martin's hopes were helped by the weather. Sunday's Australian Grand Prix was cancelled because of storms, so Marquez could not add points in the main race that Martin was set to miss. The gap between the pair therefore stayed at 10 points heading into Sepang.

Martin also has the edge of having started every race this season, something neither Marquez nor Marco Bezzecchi can claim. Marquez's own fitness has been under the spotlight all year because of a shoulder injury dating back to last autumn.

There is extra history in Martin's wrist. He needed two operations on his left wrist in 2025 and missed around two thirds of that season after three heavy crashes. He is also in his final weeks as an Aprilia rider, with a move to Yamaha due at the end of the year and his first test for the Japanese manufacturer planned at Valencia in just over a month.

What it means for the Sepang weekend

The Malaysian Grand Prix runs from Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November. If Martin is declared unfit, Marquez will have the chance to stretch his lead significantly with a Sprint and a Grand Prix on offer. If Martin is cleared, the focus will move to how competitive he can be. For Malaysian fans, it means the title fight arrives at Sepang still alive, with one of its two contenders racing against both his rival and his own injury.

Key takeaways

• Martin suffered a non-displaced fracture of the right distal radius in the Phillip Island Sprint; no surgery is planned.
• He has gone directly to Malaysia and needs medical clearance at Sepang around midday Thursday.
• The cancelled Australian Grand Prix kept Marquez's lead at 10 points.
• Aprilia say they will not force Martin to race.

FAQ

Which wrist did Jorge Martin injure? His right wrist. Scans confirmed a non-displaced fracture of the distal radius after he crashed in the Phillip Island Sprint.

When will we know if Martin can race at Sepang? The championship's doctors are due to assess him around midday on Thursday, 29 October, before Friday practice.

How far is Martin behind Marquez? He trails Marc Marquez by 10 points, a gap unchanged after the Australian Grand Prix was cancelled.

Sources: GPOne, Corsedimoto, MotoGPNews, Crash.net