Martin thinks next MotoGP title chance could come in 2026

New Aprilia MotoGP signing Jorge Martin believes he may presumably have an opportunity to combat for the championship once more in 2026.

The reigning champion has switched to Aprilia’s manufacturing unit crew on a two-year contract after being snubbed of an opportunity to maneuver as much as the manufacturing unit Ducati team in favour of six-time champion Marc Marquez.

Beginning this yr, he’ll lead an all-new line-up on the Noale-based model, teaming up with one other Ducati exile Marco Bezzecchi. 

Though Aprilia was the one manufacturing unit apart from Ducati to attain a race win in 2024, with Maverick Vinales triumphing within the Americas GP in April, it nonetheless ended up third within the producers’ standings and with simply 40% of the factors of its rival.

Martin therefore is conscious that he wouldn’t be capable of mount a title cost instantly on his arrival to Aprilia, however thinks his new employer will be capable of produce a motorcycle able to difficult for the title in 2026.

“Main Aprilia into the title combat won’t be straightforward, so that’s not the target for the brand new season,” he mentioned within the Tengo Un Plan podcast.

“The chance may come as early as 2026. However for now, I simply need to do my greatest.”

Ducati has been the dominant pressure in MotoGP since 2022, with Martin’s title success final yr on a satellite tv for pc Pramac bike marking Ducati’s third straight triumph within the premier class. Francesco Bagnaia, the Spaniard’s title rival from final season, received back-to-back titles on manufacturing unit Ducati bikes in 2022-23.

Martin admitted that he’s holding a lid on his expectations firstly of the yr, having solely accomplished sooner or later of testing on the RS-GP in November to evaluate its efficiency.

“The problem is gigantic as a result of I am going from a motorcycle with which I used to be preventing for the highest positions to 1 that’s within the decrease a part of the highest 10,” he admitted.

“I do not know what the bike will truly be like, we’ll have to attend for the February assessments.”