“MISTAKE OF MY LIFE” Boss Massimo Rivola sadly ADMITS mistake in signing contract with Jorge Martin.

The MotoGP paddock has been left stunned by the latest revelations from Aprilia Racing CEO Massimo Rivola, who in a candid and emotional reflection described the decision to sign Jorge Martin as potentially the “mistake of my life.” This admission comes after a tumultuous 2025 season that saw the reigning 2024 World Champion endure a nightmare campaign plagued by severe injuries, contract disputes, and limited on-track success, all while the Noale-based manufacturer achieved unexpected highs with other riders.

When Aprilia secured the signature of Jorge Martin in mid-2024, it was hailed as one of the biggest coups in recent MotoGP history. Fresh off clinching the world title with Pramac Ducati—the first for an independent team in the modern era—Martin represented the pinnacle of talent.

The move came after Ducati overlooked him for a factory seat in favor of Marc Marquez, prompting the Spaniard to seek a new challenge.

Rivola and his team moved swiftly, finalizing the two-year deal in a matter of hours, with the contract reportedly signed just 30 minutes before the public announcement. At the time, Rivola expressed enormous satisfaction at landing a “top rider” capable of elevating Aprilia’s project to championship contention.

The excitement was palpable. Martin, known for his blistering qualifying pace and aggressive racecraft, was expected to form a formidable duo alongside Marco Bezzecchi, another Ducati defector.

With Aleix Espargaro retiring and Maverick Viñales departing for KTM, Aprilia saw this as the perfect reset to push toward consistent podiums and wins. Rivola himself admitted the pairing carried “a bit of a risk” with two new riders adapting to the RS-GP, but the potential rewards seemed immense.

Reality, however, proved far more challenging. The 2025 season began disastrously for Martin. Even before the opening race, he suffered fractures to his right hand and left foot during pre-season testing at Sepang. The injuries forced him to miss the early rounds, but the worst was yet to come.

At the Qatar Grand Prix—his only full race weekend start of the year—Martin was involved in a violent collision with Fabio Di Giannantonio, resulting in a hemopneumothorax and 11 broken ribs.

The crash left him fearing for his life and sidelined for months, severely limiting his adaptation to the Aprilia machinery.

While Martin battled recovery, the team faced an unexpected twist. Midway through the season, rumors surfaced that the Spaniard wanted out. Invoking a performance-based exit clause (agreed upon during the rushed negotiations), Martin expressed his desire to leave at the end of 2025 rather than fulfill the 2026 commitment.

His manager, Albert Valera, publicly named Honda as a serious option, claiming a “very good” offer was on the table.

Honda denied pursuing a contracted rider, but Rivola confirmed in a recent MotoGP documentary titled “From Paradise to Hell” that Martin’s manager approached him directly about the possibility of an early departure.

Rivola’s response was firm and protective.

He flew to Madrid to speak face-to-face with Martin, telling him bluntly: “You’re not leaving, because I think—more than you do—what’s best for you.” The CEO emphasized that Martin, still recovering physically and mentally, was not in the right state to make such a drastic decision.

Aprilia stood its ground, threatening legal action if necessary, and Dorna intervened to prevent any premature moves without agreement. Eventually, Martin reversed course at the Czech Grand Prix, committing to 2026 and admitting the episode stemmed from vulnerability after his injuries.

The saga added emotional strain to an already difficult year. Martin started just seven of the 22 Grands Prix, finishing only four, and scored a modest 34 points to end 21st in the standings.

His highlight came at the Hungarian round in Balaton Park, where he charged from P16 to P4—a performance Rivola praised as “beyond all expectations” and proof of the champion’s resilience.

Yet, the constant absences meant Martin struggled to find a rhythm, often describing himself as feeling “like a rookie” on the RS-GP despite his talent.

Meanwhile, Aprilia thrived elsewhere. Marco Bezzecchi emerged as the team’s star, securing multiple wins—including at Silverstone, Portimao, and Valencia—and finishing in the top three of the riders’ championship. Raul Fernandez added a victory in Australia for the Trackhouse satellite squad.

The manufacturer outperformed expectations, finishing second in the constructors’ standings behind dominant Ducati, a result technical chief Fabiano Sterlacchini called “a bit more than we expected.”

In hindsight, Rivola’s regret centers on the rushed nature of the deal and the unforeseen risks. The contract’s exit clause, intended as protection for Martin after his Ducati frustrations, became a source of conflict.

The CEO later reflected on the emotional roller-coaster, describing 2025 as starting “not as we planned” with Martin’s injuries and the “unpleasant story” of the Honda flirtation. While he fought to retain the rider and believed in the project’s long-term benefits, the mismatch in expectations and timing proved costly.

Martin himself has since expressed no regrets over the attempted exit, viewing it as a moment of doubt during recovery. He now speaks positively about the Aprilia, noting the bike’s improvements and his growing comfort.

Rivola, too, remains optimistic for 2026, aiming to renew both Martin and Bezzecchi while positioning the latter as the “flagship.” He believes Martin understands the potential and must now “believe in himself” to unlock it fully.

The admission from Rivola underscores the brutal realities of MotoGP team management. Signing a world champion seemed like a masterstroke, but injuries, adaptation struggles, and contractual turbulence turned it into a cautionary tale.

As pre-season testing for 2026 approaches in February, all eyes will be on whether Martin can finally make the RS-GP his own and whether Rivola’s gamble ultimately pays off—or if the “mistake” label sticks.

The 2025 chapter may be closed, but its lessons will shape Aprilia’s future. With the bike showing championship potential through Bezzecchi’s exploits, the team enters the new season with renewed hope.

For Rivola, the journey has been painful yet instructive, a reminder that even the best-laid plans in motorcycle racing can go awry in the most unpredictable ways.