Jorge Martín and Fermín Aldeguer to miss Sepang ...

Sepang Check 2026

The 2026 MotoGP pre-season will get underway in Malaysia with out two key riders, after confirmations that Jorge Martín and Fermín Aldeguer will each be sidelined for the upcoming Sepang Official Check as a result of harm.

Martín continues restoration as Savadori leads Aprilia testing

Jorge Martín miss the on-track motion in Malaysia, with Aprilia Racing confirming that he’ll proceed his restoration programme following revision surgical procedure to his left scaphoid and proper clavicle carried out in mid-December.

The choice to sideline Martín from testing has been made with an eye fixed firmly on the opening rounds of the championship, with Aprilia prioritising full bodily restoration over an early return, as any return would threat aggravation.

Sepang carries specific significance in Martín’s latest historical past. It was on the Sepang check forward of the 2025 season the place a collection of crashes and bodily setbacks first undermined his pre-season preparation, contributing to a troublesome yr marked by recurring accidents, compromised kind, and rising frustration on each side of the storage. That interval in the end coincided with tensions that led Martín to discover choices to go away Aprilia earlier than the scenario stabilised later within the season.

Towards that backdrop, Aprilia has opted for a extra conservative strategy this time, with Martín anticipated to attend the Sepang check in a non-riding capability to remain intently concerned within the RS-GP26 growth course of with out risking a repeat of previous points.

Aprilia check rider Lorenzo Savadori will subsequently lead growth of the RS-GP26, starting with the Sepang Shakedown Check (January 29–31) and persevering with by way of the Official Check from February 3–5. Savadori can even help with growth work throughout all Aprilia machines, together with these of the Trackhouse MotoGP Group.

Though Martín is not going to journey, he’s anticipated to be current in Malaysia to comply with the check programme intently and stay concerned within the ongoing growth course of.

Savadori mentioned the Sepang checks can be significantly busy, with a variety of recent parts scheduled for analysis, whereas stressing that Martín’s long-term health stays the precedence forward of the opening spherical.

Aldeguer dominated out after femur fracture

BK8 Gresini Racing have confirmed that Fermín Aldeguer will miss the three-day official check at Sepang after sustaining a fractured left femur in a coaching accident in Valencia earlier this month.

The 2025 MotoGP Rookie of the Yr underwent surgical procedure in Barcelona on January 9, with the process reported as profitable. Nonetheless, the severity of the harm made participation within the Sepang check extremely unlikely from the outset, and the staff has now confirmed the Spaniard is not going to journey to Malaysia.

At this stage, it stays unclear whether or not Aldeguer can be match to return for the Buriram check in Thailand, scheduled the weekend earlier than the opening spherical of the 2026 season. That call can be made nearer to the date as his rehabilitation progresses.

In Aldeguer’s absence, Gresini Racing will focus its Sepang programme solely on Alex Márquez and his adaptation to the latest-spec Ducati, with the official check set to start on February 3.

With each Aldeguer and Martín absent, the Sepang check will happen with out two riders anticipated to play outstanding roles within the 2026 season, inserting higher emphasis on team-mates and check riders as growth work intensifies forward of the Buriram season opener.

2026 MotoGP Dates