MotoGP Malaysia: Martin to try and race at Sepang, Mir returns

Ahead of the MotoGP Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang, two situations are becoming clearer, according to Crash.net: Jorge Martin (Aprilia) will try to race despite a fractured wrist, and Joan Mir (Honda HRC) is back after several races out.

Jorge Martin: a decisive fitness test

Aprilia has confirmed that Martin will try to start in Malaysia. He crashed in the sprint at the Australian GP at Phillip Island while fighting Marc Marquez for the win. He fractured his wrist and could not race on Sunday, the day the race was cancelled because of the weather.

Nothing is settled: Martin must pass a fitness test on Thursday and could still withdraw. He says himself that it is impossible to make predictions. In the championship, Marquez led him by 10 points after the sprint.

Sepang has not been kind to Martin in recent seasons: he was badly hurt there in pre-season testing in 2025, missed the 2025 Malaysian GP and started only seven Grands Prix that year.

Joan Mir returns at Honda HRC

Honda has confirmed Mir's return at Sepang. The Spaniard has been absent since the Austrian GP and missed the races in Japan, Indonesia and Australia with an unidentified illness that required several examinations. Doctors have given him the green light, and he was able to ride different types of bikes last week.

Mir describes Sepang as a track with good memories: it is where he took his last podium. His main aim for the weekend is simply to get back on the bike.

Marini still waiting

No replacement had been named for Mir in Australia. Luca Marini, hit by a virus, was declared unfit there and managed only a few laps at Phillip Island; no Honda HRC rode after the first practice session. Marini hopes to return at Sepang but must pass a medical test before the weekend, and his return is not yet official. It is not known whether a replacement is planned for Mir.

The editorial team will follow practice at Sepang.