MotoGP: Major Clash Between Aprilia and Michelin After Jorge Martin’s Crash
The latest MotoGP news never lacks excitement, and this time, it’s a controversy between Aprilia and Michelin making headlines. The violent crash of Jorge Martin during testing in Sepang has shaken the paddock, sparking heated exchanges between the Italian team and the tire manufacturer. Michelin attempted to justify the incident, but Aprilia remains unconvinced. The safety of the riders is once again in question, and tensions are rising as the season rapidly approaches.
A Crash Causing Buzz
What was supposed to be a standard testing day at Sepang turned dramatic when Jorge Martin took a hard fall. The reigning world champion, victim of a “high-side“, left Malaysia with a broken right hand and multiple fractures in his left foot. To say the least, the Spanish rider’s winter preparation has taken a serious hit.
But it’s not just the injury making waves. The core issue is the crash’s cause. Michelin, the sole tire supplier for MotoGP, quickly offered an explanation: the inner tire temperature was too low. However, Aprilia is far from accepting this theory. The Italian team has rejected this claim and is demanding more information about the tire’s origins.
Aprilia Turns Up the Heat
Massimo Rivola, Aprilia’s CEO, wasted no time in responding. He insists that the bike’s data indicates no technical problems, and that Martin made no errors. This raises a provocative question: where exactly did this tire come from? “I’ve asked Michelin for the history of the rear tire. I would hate to learn it was stored for eleven months.” This remark reveals the suspicion hanging over the paddock.
But Aprilia isn’t stopping there. The team insists the safety of riders is at stake. This isn’t just about Jorge Martin. Fabio Di Giannantonio and Raul Fernandez also crashed in Sepang, sustaining fractures. Enough is enough! Aprilia is calling for an urgent meeting with all teams to address this “critical situation.”
Michelin Under Pressure
For Michelin, the pressure is mounting. As the sole MotoGP tire supplier, the French brand is accustomed to criticism, but this time, the frustration seems greater than ever. Piero Taramasso has attempted to explain Martin’s crash as a temperature issue, but the reasoning isn’t sitting well. If Aprilia succeeds in proving a tire irregularity, it could jeopardize Michelin’s standing in MotoGP. And with the final pre-season tests set in Buriram on February 12 and 13, Aprilia is taking no chances with Jorge Martin. The reigning world champion may be sidelined to prevent a recurrence before the championship kicks off on March 2 in Thailand.
