ASSEN, Netherlands — Jorge Martin admitted he was left searching for answers after an unexplained loss of rear grip transformed a promising start into a disappointing fifth-place finish in Saturday’s MotoGP Dutch Grand Prix sprint at Assen.
The Aprilia rider secured his first pole position since 2024 earlier in the day and appeared ready to challenge for victory after leading the opening two laps. Instead, his pace quickly faded as rivals closed in, forcing him into a defensive race that ended well short of expectations.
Martin said the motorcycle felt completely different from qualifying, leaving him unable to maintain the pace he had shown throughout the weekend.
“I was really happy after qualifying to be back in pole position after almost two years,” Martin said.
“I was ready for the race, and then when the race started, the first few corners I was feeling good, I was fast, I was able to be in first.
“But then I saw I had no rear grip, and then I was suffering the whole way to the end.”
The reigning world champion explained that the problem became progressively worse with every lap, making it increasingly difficult to defend his position as the race developed.
“Every lap was a bit worse and worse, and at the end, I was just trying to keep that position to the end,” he said.
“It was difficult the last three laps to maintain the Ducatis behind.”
Martin described the sudden drop in performance as unusual and believes something changed compared with earlier sessions.
“Very bad feeling compared to the rest of the weekend, so I guess something strange happened today. I think that’s why I had a lack of performance in the sprint.”
Although unable to pinpoint the exact cause, Martin dismissed the idea that tire wear alone explained the issue, suggesting the problem was more likely related to the bike’s setup.
“So, I don’t know exactly what it was, but the rear grip wasn’t there,” he said.
“I had no contact with the rear, so I started to struggle.
“But this is, I think, part of this process of getting to know the Aprilia. We are changing things on the bike; sometimes it’s good, and sometimes it’s bad. Today wasn’t the right way, so tomorrow we will bounce back.”
Martin also ruled out track temperature as the primary factor, noting that conditions had actually been cooler than during Friday’s sessions.
“I don’t know. I know yesterday, for example, in the heat I was suffering a bit,” he said.
“But it was much better than today, and today was less hot. So, I guess something… it’s difficult to explain. So, let’s see if tomorrow we are a bit better.”
During the closing laps, Martin lost another position to teammate Marco Bezzecchi after an aggressive battle through Turns 9 and 10. Despite the robust overtake, he insisted there was nothing unfair about the move.
“It’s racing,” Martin said.
“He overtook me, I tried to overtake back to keep that position.
“I did the same with Ai Ogura. When I have the possibility, or the other riders have the possibility, we always try to fight back.
“But I hope tomorrow I can be a bit faster, and I don’t have to battle with the others.”
Martin will look to identify the source of the grip problems before Sunday’s full-distance Dutch Grand Prix as Aprilia aims to convert its qualifying speed into stronger race results.
