Marc Marquez Rejects Jorge Martin's Trial Proposal

Marc Marquez of Ducati rejected changes to the 2025 MotoGP trial rules (Instagram/@ducatisse).

JAKARTA Marc Marquez rejects the proposed trial that Jorge Martin needs to undergo with Aprilia after he prepares to return to MotoGP 2025 after suffering an injury.

Martin, the defending champion in the most prestigious race, was absent in all pre-season trials due to a series of accidents that caused a fracture and had to climb to the operating table.

The case experienced by Martin made Aprilia suggest that injured riders need to do a trial before they return to racing on track. However, the Ducati manufacturer rejected it.

Marquez also agreed and said that the request was a step forward, but it would be better if the regulation was implemented in the coming seasons.

"Right now the regulations are not like that. When I came back from injury in 2021 this regulation didn't exist," Marquez said as quoted by Crash.

Although there is support for the proposal, Ducati openly does not want changes to the rules this year. However, they want the rule to be discussed for future use.

Based on current concession rules, only Honda and Yamaha are allowed to conduct trials in the middle of the season with their riders using MotoGP engines.

"You can introduce a rule that allows drivers who do not compete for two months to do a one-day trial and nothing more. Because two days have been too long," said Marquez.

Ducati's refusal to support Aprilia's proposal to change the trial rules is understandable. The reason is, there are several scenarios in the last few years that will be profitable.

Franco Morbidelli has previously been absent from all pre-season trials due to a concussion in a winter practice incident and has not recorded any time at all with his new Ducati until the opening round of the season in Qatar.

Enea Bastianini was also absent from the first five Grand Prix in 2023 due to injuries and four other Grand Prixs at the end of the year. This severely limits his time in adapting to the GP23 at the time.

Jorge Martin is likely to be a serious threat to Marc Marquez in chasing world titles this season. Therefore, the rejection by Ducati could be in order to limit rival opportunities.

Marquez currently sits comfortably at the top of the standings with a maximum collection of points from two draws. On the other hand, Martin still has to be absent and is likely to be back in the Qatar series in April.

Thus, allowing trials for injured racers will benefit Martin. He could tackle Marquez in an effort to give Aprilia the first title.