NEW YORK : Aprilia Racing has formally requested permission to conduct a special MotoGP test for Jorge Martin, in a bid to assess the reigning world champion’s fitness and readiness after a series of serious injuries.

Following the regulation change proposed by Aprilia Racing to the MotoGP Grand Prix Commission, riders who have missed at least three Grand Prix are now allowed to take part in a special test to determine their safe return to the MotoGP season.

“We’re waiting for the doctors to clear Jorge,” Aprilia’s sporting director, Paolo Bonora said. “Once that happens, and thanks to the regulation change we ourselves proposed, we’ll be able to organise a test day.”

Martin was first injured on February 5th during the opening day of pre-season testing and later suffered a second injury that same month before traveling to Thailand for the season opener. After missing the Grand Prix in Thailand, Argentina, and the United States, Martin made his comeback at the Qatar GP in April. However, he crashed during the race and was run over by Fabio Di Giannantonio, resulting in pneumothorax, pleural inflammation, and multiple rib fractures. The injuries forced him to spend two weeks in a hospital in Doha and have kept him in recovery ever since.

Jorge Martin is expected to take part in the Aprilia’s test on July 8th and 9th, as long as he gets the green light from his doctor on Monday. The test is likely to take place at the Misano World Circuit as a part of his preparation to get back on the MotoGP grid, with his comeback expected at the Czech Grand Prix from July 17th to 20th, and from there, he’s set to continue the rest of the MotoGP season.

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