Reigning MotoGP champion Jorge Martín suffered a heavy crash during the official Sepang pre-season test on Wednesday, cutting short his day and sending shockwaves through the paddock. The Spaniard was transported to hospital after reporting intense pain in his left foot and right hand.

The incident occurred just before midday, as Martín approached Sepang’s demanding Turn 2. Onboard his Aprilia RS-GP, he was violently thrown from the bike, spinning mid-air before hitting the tarmac with significant force. Video footage revealed the rider’s helmet striking the ground hard, though he remained conscious throughout the ordeal.

Medical staff at the track’s centre carried out initial checks, confirming Martín’s awareness but noting his severe discomfort. Given the impact and his complaints, doctors opted to transfer him by ambulance to Aurelius Hospital in Nilai, located just six kilometres from the circuit, for more detailed examinations.

At the time of the crash, Martín had only completed five flying laps and was last on the timing screens. It was, in fact, his second fall of the day, following a minor spill at Turn 1 earlier in the morning that he managed to walk away from without apparent injury. That first mishap saw him return to the pits and continue testing on a second RS-GP, but the later high-side at Turn 2 ended his session abruptly.

The extent of any injuries has not yet been confirmed, and Aprilia will wait for full hospital results before determining whether their star rider can continue testing in Malaysia over the next two days. His fitness is crucial not only for the remainder of the Sepang programme but also with the MotoGP launch event scheduled for Sunday in Bangkok, before pre-season concludes at Buriram in Thailand on February 12-13.

Martín heads into 2025 as the reigning world champion, having made history last season by becoming the first rider since Valentino Rossi’s era to claim the premier-class crown with an independent team. Now leading Aprilia’s factory project, he first tested the RS-GP in Barcelona in November, with Sepang marking only his second real outing on the machine.

For Aprilia and MotoGP fans alike, all attention now turns to medical updates, as the hope is that the champion can recover quickly and resume his preparations for the defence of his title.

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