Dorna boss Carmelo Ezpeleta has responded to the ongoing Jorge Martin Aprilia contract row just days after the reigning world champion’s manager declared him free for 2026 MotoGP.
The controversy centers on conflicting claims regarding Martin’s contractual status for the 2026 MotoGP season with his manager Albert Valera claiming the Spanish rider is free to negotiate with other teams, however, Aprilia’s management maintains that their agreement remains valid and binding through the end of 2026.
This high-stakes standoff not only impacts Martin’s future but also presents implications in the MotoGP competitive landscape, as rival manufacturers closely monitor the situation ready to pounce on any opportunity to secure the services of one of the sport’s brightest talents.
Jorge Martin’s move to Aprilia for the 2025 season was heralded as a major coup for the Italian manufacturer which had been seeking to bolster its credentials as a genuine title contender.
However, the partnership has been beset by misfortune from the outset. Martin’s campaign was derailed almost immediately by a series of injuries limiting his participation to just a single race in Qatar before a devastating crash left him sidelined for much of the first half of the season.
The absence of their star signing placed Aprilia under considerable pressure with the team forced to rely on Marco Bezzecchi who admirably stepped up to deliver a victory at Silverstone and podium finishes at Assen, but the sense of unfulfilled potential has lingered.
Amidst this backdrop of frustration and uncertainty, rumors began to circulate that Martin was seeking to activate a performance-related exit clause in his contract.
According to multiple reports, the clause stipulated that either party could dissolve the agreement if certain benchmarks were not met by the end of the sixth race of the season.
Martin’s camp contends that the rider’s injury-plagued start to the year coupled with dissatisfaction over the bike’s performance, provided sufficient grounds to trigger the clause and pursue opportunities elsewhere.
The situation escalated following the French Grand Prix when Martin’s representatives formally notified Aprilia of his intent to exercise the exit option.
The response from Aprilia was swift and unequivocal. In a public statement issued ahead of the British Grand Prix, the team insisted that the contract with Martin was “valid and effective” through the end of 2026 and must be respected by both parties.
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Martin’s manager claims he is free to sign with any team
Despite Aprilia’s insistence on the validity of the contract, Martin’s manager Albert Valera has remained steadfast in his position that the rider is free to negotiate with other teams for 2026 MotoGP.
In a series of interviews, Valera has argued that Martin’s activation of the contractual clause was both legitimate and binding, and that the rider is now “completely open, available, and free” to explore alternative options for the future.
“What we can say is Jorge Martin is free of contract for 2026,” he said. “It’s pretty clear for us, he’s executed a clause he had in the contract and we’re just following the contract.
“He’s completely open, available, and we will see what happens in the future. He had a clause in the contract, he had a right to exercise that clause, and he did so.”
The dispute has inevitably attracted the attention of rival manufacturers, most notably Honda, which is rumored to be keenly interested in acquiring Martin’s services should he become available.
“For the moment, we cannot talk about any third-party offers because it’s still maybe not the moment. We need to talk and understand other offers,” Valera added.
“The first thing that we need to do is to make sure Jorge wants to execute that clause; he did it, he announced it in his statement. We deeply believe that he is free.
“From the moment that we defend Jorge’s freedom, we’re able to take to other manufacturers. You ask me about Honda and that is an option for next year.”
MotoGP boss threatens to block Martin’s entry for 2026
However, MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta weighed in on the Jorge Martin Aprilia contract row insisting the rider cannot join another team without resolving the dispute.
“If two parties have the intention and want to terminate the contract, it is possible,” Ezpeleta told Sky Sport Italia. “If one party says that it is still valid, the judge included in the contract must decide who is right.
“We as Dorna will not accept the entry to the championship of anyone who does not respect these conditions: Either an agreement is found between the parties and the contract ends, or a judge will have to decide.”
The prospect of a protracted legal battle looms large with both parties reportedly engaging legal counsel to represent their interests as the situation threatens to escalate further.
Complicating matters is the question of compensation and penalties. Reports have emerged that Aprilia has demanded an “exorbitant” penalty from Martin as a condition for releasing him from his contract early, a move that has only served to heighten tensions between the two camps.
Martin’s representatives are said to be considering drastic action including the possibility of entering into compensation talks or even buying out the remainder of the contract, in order to facilitate a move to another team.
READ MORE: Jorge Martin’s Aprilia exit at end of 2025 MotoGP? What we know so far
