Jorge Martin has released a sleazy statement confirming that he will indeed be leaving Aprilia at the end of the season thanks to a clever contractual loophole. The statement is a masterclass in saying a whole lot of nothing while trying to sound like a reasonable, upstanding guy.
But what was said, and what did Jorge actually really mean? We breakdown the statement and explain exactly what the Spaniard meant:
What he said:
“I would like to share with all the fans, media and people who follow my career a clear explanation about my situation with Aprilia.”
What he really means:
“Listen up, my vast number of adoring fans, nosy journalists, and random internet trolls – I’m about to drop a carefully worded PR statement to make myself look like the good guy while I dodge whatever drama Aprilia’s cooking up.”
What he said:
“At no time have I ever breached the contract. When we signed it, I agreed with Aprilia that, if certain circumstances were not met, I reserved the right to decide my future for 2026.”
What he really means:
“I’m not the bad guy here! I dotted every ‘i’ and crossed every ‘t’ in that contract. Also, I snuck in a sneaky little escape clause because I’m not about to be stuck with Aprilia if something better turns up.”
What he said:
“This was an essential condition for me to accept the contract proposal they offered me at that time.”
What he really means:
“I wasn’t about to sign my life away without a get-out-of-jail-free card. Aprilia thought they had me locked in, but joke’s on them as I have options.”
What he said:
“When I made the decision to change manufacturers last year, one of my premises was to have the possibility to test the bike in real circumstances and to understand the team and its working methodology.”
What he really means:
“I switched teams because I hated Ducati and thought Aprilia might not suck. I’m now passively aggressively blaming ‘work methodology’ of the team whilst I lay in bed skiving work.”
What he said:
“In this way I could feel comfortable signing for two years instead one, and so we included that condition.”
What he really means:
“I wasn’t about to lock myself into a two-year deal without a trial run. So, I made sure I could test-drive this relationship before putting a ring on it.”
What he said:
“Faced with the situation of having to make a decision on a date that is established by contract, I have decided to exercise my right to release myself for the 2026 season.”
What he really means:
“I’ve not tried and don’t plan on doing so. Sorry, Aprilia, it’s not me, it’s you.”
What he said:
“I have always done so respectfully, clearly and with the sole intention of taking control of my future as a professional athlete.”
What he really means:
“I’ve been a total gentleman about screwing over Aprilia and as a professional athlete I have a brand to protect”
What he said:
“Unfortunately, the circumstances that have occurred as a result of the crashes, although it is true that they do not affect what we agreed, have conditioned this phase.”
What he actually means:
“I’ve been crashing none-stop, which isn’t technically Aprilia’s fault, until now.”
What he said:
“This is why I have always been in open dialogue with Aprilia to extend this period to a certain number of grands prix after my return to competition.”
What he actually means:
“I’ve been sweet-talking Aprilia to give me more time to negotiate a higher pay rate elsewhere whilst not looking like the bad guy”
What he said:
“The aim is that both parties can give each other a second chance and feel comfortable before making a decision for 2026. I have always been honest with Aprilia, I have always valued the bike, the team and the effort off all of the people part of the project.”
What he actually means:
“I’m trying to keep things chill so Aprilia doesn’t hate me in case their bike actually is quite good.”
What he said:
“The only thing that I ask is that my will and the spirit of what we agreed at the time with Aprilia will be respected.”
What he actually means:
“Just do what I want, Aprilia, and stick to the deal we made when I had you over a barrel. Let’s not make this messy.”
What he said:
“There is no conflict or reproach. I just want to be able to look ahead with clarity, after very difficult times and a very serious injury, and to continue to give the best of myself of and off the track.”
What he actually means:
“Please don’t sabotage my bike if I can ever be bothered turning up to ride it this year”
