Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola has revealed that every one however one MotoGP producer helps a rule change permitting injured riders to finish a non-public take a look at earlier than returning to race motion.
Beneath the present MotoGP concession system, Yamaha and Honda have already got unrestricted personal testing. Nonetheless, race riders from Ducati, Aprilia, and KTM are solely permitted to check at official MotoGP classes.
Aprilia’s proposed modification would permit a one-day personal take a look at for any rider who has missed a number of races on account of damage.
The thought was triggered by a depressing begin to the yr for brand spanking new Aprilia signing and reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Martin.
The Spaniard has missed all however 13 laps of pre-season testing and is because of be sidelined for at the very least the opening three rounds after struggling a number of accidents.
Jorge Martin’s dilemma: Restricted testing choices
Martin is eyeing a potential Aprilia race debut at spherical 4 in Qatar in mid-April however is raring to evaluate his wrist accidents on an RS-GP beforehand.
As a result of MotoGP’s testing restrictions, his closest present possibility is to trip a manufacturing Superbike, which Aprilia argues can’t replicate the calls for of a full MotoGP prototype.
And not using a correct take a look at on his race bike, the chance is that Martin might be pressured out early from a deliberate return.
Talking to Dorna’s Jack Appleyard in Argentina, Rivola confirmed {that a} formal request for the rule change has been submitted, however would require unanimous approval to be launched mid-season.
The proposal is rumoured to be mentioned on Thursday on the upcoming COTA spherical.
Jorge Martin, 2025 Sepang take a look at
Aprilia boss Rivola: “We’d like unanimity”
“I do not know if that assembly [at COTA] is on for that goal, however sure, we did the request,” Rivola mentioned.
“In precept, the concept was to supply a one-day take a look at to a rider that stays away from many races. I believe it ought to be legitimate for any form of case.
“I am sorry for the riders that we didn’t do that for prior to now – their groups ought to have gotten the concept!
“However I believe it is a truthful factor to do, as a result of on Friday if you come again, it’s already qualifying.
“Truthfully, I believe if the concept is sweet, it’s not solely good from subsequent yr. I perceive that everyone agrees on that – aside from one.
“We’d like unanimity for a rule change through the season. If we don’t get it, I believe we lose a possibility to do one thing good for the game and rider security.
“But when that’s not the case, too unhealthy.”
Ducati desires to delay rule change till 2026
Ducati has signalled that it could assist the rule change however solely from the beginning of 2026.
When requested if he may perceive why some would possibly resist an instantaneous rule modification for Martin’s profit, Rivola replied:
“I actually do not perceive, truthfully.
“I can’t say that Jorge is a menace to Ducati for the championship – he’s clearly out.
“For me, it’s nearly doing one thing good for the championship.
“Let’s say he tries in FP1 and doesn’t really feel good. Then we have now one much less bike for the entire weekend.
“So, as I mentioned, I’m sorry for the riders that we didn’t do that for prior to now.
“However I didn’t have that concept earlier than as a result of it was not my rider, or I used to be not there. So, sorry for them.”
Aprilia suffered additional damage woes when take a look at rider Lorenzo Savadori, competing instead of Martin, needed to withdraw from Sunday’s Argentina Grand Prix on account of a shoulder damage.
