MotoGP Qatar: Jorge Martin to try to race with a broken wrist

Jorge Martin will be at the MotoGP Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail after all. The Aprilia rider, who missed Sepang, will try to get back on the bike despite a fractured right wrist, while Marc Márquez (Ducati) can be crowned world champion there.

A comeback on trial

Aprilia confirmed on Wednesday that Martin is travelling to Qatar. He had withdrawn before qualifying at the Malaysian Grand Prix to recover and went home to Spain to continue his treatment. The team will start working with him on Thursday, before the weekend begins.

The aim is simple: see how his body responds. According to Motorsport.com, the main question is whether he has enough strength in his wrist to brake the bike effectively. It is therefore still unclear whether he will make the start.

Where does the injury come from?

Martin broke his right wrist in a crash in the Australian Grand Prix sprint. He then missed the main race, which was later cancelled because of rain and fog. At Sepang he lost almost two seconds to the fastest time in Friday's first practice and barely rode in the second session.

A lot at stake in the championship

Martin is second in the standings, 44 points behind Marc Márquez. The Ducati rider can clinch his eighth world title in Qatar, depending on his sprint and race results. Every point matters for Martin, who has to save what he can of his season.

The weekend is also unusual because the Yamaha riders will not be at Lusail: the manufacturer has not lifted its travel restriction on areas of armed conflict. The grid is therefore reduced.

What to watch

• Whether Martin rides in Friday's practice, the first real test of his wrist.
• Whether he qualifies for the sprint and Sunday's race.
• Márquez's title, which can be decided at Lusail.

At Aprilia, Marco Bezzecchi, sixth in the Sepang race, also wants to perform well from the start of the Qatar weekend. For MotoGP fans, Martin's first laps will quickly show whether his comeback is realistic.

The editorial team