Connect with us

SportsNews

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

Published

on

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/

SportsNews

UEFA announce moment of silence for Diogo Jota, André Silva

Published

on

UEFA have announced a moment of silence in memory of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who sadly passed away on Thursday.

In the early hours of Thursday, both football stars died as a result of a car crash in Zamora, Spain.

In a post on their website, UEFA said a moment of silence will be observed at all UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 games taking place today and tomorrow in memory of the late players.

Reacting to the tragic news, President of UEFA, Aleksander Čeferin, said: “Just three weeks ago, I had the honour of presenting Diogo Jota with a medal after the UEFA Nations League final, a moment of joy, pride, and celebration that’ll now forever be burned in memory with sorrow.

“Rest in peace, dear Diogo. You’ll not be forgotten.”

Just last month, Jota got married to his long-time girlfriend, Rute Cardoso, in Porto.

Continue Reading

SportsNews

EPL: We’re devastated – Liverpool react to Diogo Jota’s death

Published

on

Liverpool Football Club have reacted to the death of their forward Diogo Jota.

In a tweet via their officially X account on Thursday, the Premier League champions expressed sadness over the Portuguese’s death.

“Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota,” Liverpool tweeted.

Jota and his brother Andre died after car accident in the province of Zamora in Spain, on Thursday.

The sad news is coming less than two weeks after got married to Rute Cardoso, in Porto, Portugal.

Jota, 28, had won the English Premier League title with Liverpool last season.

He was on holiday ahead of the new 2025/26 season before the tragic news of his death.

Jota, who is expected to be buried in the coming days, had three children with Cardoso.

Continue Reading

SportsNews

Kano Pillars appoint new management for youth teams

Published

on

Kano Pillars have constituted a new management team for the Junior Pillars as well as its U-19, U-15 and U-13 teams.

Ibrahim Musa has been appointed as the technical adviser of Junior Pillars, while Saleh Garzali will take charge as head coach.

The U-19 side will be managed by Usman Ikramatu and Ahmed Mustapha, while Habu Kamara assumes the role of team manager.

Suleiman Ibrahim Yakasai (Lajin) has been tasked with overseeing the U-15 team, bringing his wealth of experience to guide the young talents.

At the U-13 level, Coach Nura Platini and Tasiu Pele will lead the technical team, ensuring the earliest stages of player development receive the highest standard of coaching and mentorship.

The restructuring is aimed at aligning the club’s youth development philosophy with global best practices.

Ekwutosblog recalls that Kano Pillars U-19 team took part in the inaugural edition of the National Youth League Super Cup tournament in Lagos.

Continue Reading

Trending