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Martin will “definitely” race in MotoGP’s Thailand GP

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Reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Martin is set to return to action in the Thailand Grand Prix after missing almost all of pre-season testing, Motorsport.com understands.

This Saturday marks one week since Aprilia’s new star rider was discharged by doctors following surgery on the right hand he broke at the start of the Sepang test.

Over the past week, the Spaniard has been resting at home, waiting for the fractures on his right hand and left foot (which did not require an operation) to heal.

Martin is expected to travel to Buriram later this month to contest the opening round of the season, scheduled on 28 February – 2 March.

“Jorge is doing well, progressing, and is planning to start training next week to be in better physical shape for Thailand,” said a person closer to the rider.

“He will definitely be at the first race, confirmed. Let’s see if he can prepare a little better physically before travelling. He has a medical appointment this [coming] week to check the progress of the fractures and determine if he can start training.”

Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing
© Autosport.com

 

Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing

Photo by: Aprilia Racing

With less than two weeks remaining until the Thai race, and his medical check-up expected on Monday or Tuesday, Martin will have only six-seven days remaining to get physically ready for the new season.

Apart from his own progress, Martin is believed to be excited about Aprilia’s results in the Buriram test, where team-mate Marco Bezzecchi set the third-quickest time and also showed strong pace on long runs.

“The best thing about Jorge is that he wants to know everything. Obviously, he regrets not being able to attend the tests, but we’ve been in constant contact minute-by-minute,” said Pablo Bonora, Aprilia’s technical director.

“Most of all, he wants to know our feedback on the parts we’ve tested, and it’s very interesting to listen to him because he has incredible energy.

“What we’ve focused on most is making a more manageable bike, and a lot of the improvement comes from the new 2025 engine, which has given us great feedback.”

When asked whether Aprilia was closing in on Ducati, Bonora said: “No, no, I don’t talk about others. Let’s skip that question [laughs].”

In the absence of Martin, Aprilia turned to its test rider Lorenzo Savadori to grab valuable mileage it would have otherwise lost.

“We’re happy with the test; we were clearly working for Jorge, with whom we’ve been in constant contact,” explained Savadori. “He wants to know everything, he asks about everything, everything.

“We’ve been working on a set-up that will allow Jorge to quickly get on the bike when he’s back here, at this same Thai track.”

While Aprilia is pleased with Bezzecchi’s work in pre-season testing, it is eager for Martin to get back at work.

“We’re waiting for Jorge because we need his confirmation, that’s for sure. For the first races, we will give him the base set-up we found during the winter,” Bonora said.

“Right now, his medical recovery plan is completely under control, and his sensations are improving day by day, so we can’t wait to have him with us as soon as possible.

“We hope that in these first races, he’ll quickly find confidence with the bike.

“To be honest, we’ll consider the first four races (Thailand, Argentina, Austin, and Qatar) as a test for Jorge. He lost the opportunity to test in Sepang and Buriram, and in MotoGP, when you switch from one bike [Ducati] to another [Aprilia], you need to find confidence.

“It won’t be easy, but we’ll do everything we can to help him. We saw that Marco quickly found confidence in Buriram, and that gives us confidence that we can provide Jorge with a good bike.”

Read Also:

https://www.autosport.com/motogp/news/the-key-takeaways-from-2025-motogp-pre-season-testing/10695819/

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NPFL: Ikorodu stun Enyimba, Remo Stars falter again

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Ikorodu City moved to the summit of the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, following a stunning 1–0 win over Enyimba in Aba, Ekwutosblog reports.

 

Joseph Arumala scored the winning goal for Ikorodu City in the 29th minute.

The Oga Boys top the standings with 44 points from 26 matches.

Holders Remo Stars continued their poor run of form with a 1–1 home draw against Abia Warriors.

Former NPFL top scorer, Chukwuemeka Obioma, gave Abia Warriors the lead in the 54th minute.

Samson Olasupo restored parity for Remo Stars 12 minutes from time.

Rangers climbed to second position after a 2–0 victory over Wikki Tourists at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, Enugu.

Wisdom Ebirim and Godwin Obaje were on target for Rangers in the game.

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PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES SEATTLE SEAHAWKS’ PLAYERS OF NIGERIAN DESCENT ON SUPER BOWL WIN

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President Bola Tinubu congratulates players of Nigerian descent who led the Seattle Seahawks to victory in Super Bowl 60 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday.

The Seattle Seahawks routed the New England Patriots 29–13 to claim their second Lombardi Trophy.

Players of Nigerian descent on the team’s lineup who helped achieve this victory include Jalen Oluwaseun Milroe, quarterback; Nick Emmanwori, a defensive standout; Uchenna Nwosu, a veteran linebacker; Boye Maye, a linebacker; and Olu Oluwatimi, an irrepressible offensive lineman.

The President also congratulates Michael Onwenu, who played for the other side, the New England Patriots, and is regarded as one of the most dominant offensive linemen.

President Tinubu commends all the players for the pride and honour that they have brought to their country of descent, especially Emmanwori, Nwosu, and Maye, who raised Nigeria’s flag after winning the Super Bowl with the Seahawks.

The President states that these players and their accomplishments affirm Nigerians’ global reputation for excellence and talent.

President Tinubu wishes them continued success and more victories in their respective careers.

Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)

 

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‘Powerful left winger’ – Eric Chelle names Super Eagles star he’s happy with

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Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle is happy with how Moses Simon played, calling the Paris FC player a strong left winger.

Simon was placed lower than Ademola Lookman in the list of top wingers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, and Simon only played in two matches during the tournament in Morocco.

The 30-year-old was included in the starting lineup for the group-stage match against Uganda and the third-place playoff against Egypt, with Chelle deciding to let several important players rest.

In an interview with RMC Sport’s After Foot last Friday, Chelle talked about Simon’s skills and how important he is tactically.

He said, “Moses Simon is a powerful left winger, and that’s the main thing he contributes to the team. He does well in one-on-one and two-on-two situations. In Nigeria, we usually play with a diamond.

“When we play deeper, we use a flat 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1 formation, and he usually helps us keep stability on the wing and add width to our play.

“When you play through the wings, the opposing team’s defense moves toward the center, and then you can spread the play back out to the sides using Simon, Chukwueze, or Ejuke.”

After six years at Nantes, Simon joined the capital club Paris FC last summer and signed a three-year contract.

The winger had a great beginning in the capital, making four goal contributions in his first seven games in Ligue 1.

Chelle thought about Simon’s time at the club and said that the winger started the season very well at Paris FC.

“I watched some Paris FC games at the start of the season. He began well when he got there. When he played in Nantes, the play usually focused on him. The plan was to move the ball to the sides and get Moses Simon into one-on-one situations.

“At a new club, the approach is different, and he needs to move more towards the center before getting the ball. It is a bit complicated. I am happy with what he is doing for the national team,” he said.

Moses Simon was used majorly as a substitute by Eric Chelle at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

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