This week, MotoGP heads down under for the Australian Grand Prix. However, not all riders will be there. Most notably, the two most recent MotoGP champions – Marc Márquez and Jorge Martín – will both be absent. Here’s a rundown of who will be missing and why.
Jorge Martín
Last year’s champion, Jorge Martín has had a tricky 2025 campaign. From a biking injury pre-season that saw him miss the opening rounds, to injuries during races, it’s been an uphill battle for the Spaniard. Fresh off of his first title, Martín has missed 12 rounds and is set to miss even more. It’s a disappointing first season with new team, Aprilia Racing.
Most recently, Martín had a crash with teammate Marco Bezzecchi in the Japanese sprint race. Having sustained a broken collarbone, he withdrew from the main race to fly back to Spain for surgery. Consequently, Aprilia Racing announced that the #1 would not race in the upcoming Indonesian race and that he would also be sidelined at the Australian and Malaysian rounds.
In an attempt to focus on recovery and not injure himself further, he is set to return for the final two races.
Marc Márquez
In heartbreaking fashion, the newly crowned champion is also missing from the grid. Following his championship win in Japan, Márquez had an unlucky Indonesian weekend. Not only did he continue the pattern of not finishing a race at the Mandalika circuit, he also sustained another injury. After a brilliant start, Bezzecchi misjudged an overtake, taking them both out. Whilst the #72 was unharmed, the same could not be said for the champion.
It was discovered he had a collarbone injury and he to Spain for further tests. Him and the team confirmed that the crash fractured the base of the coracoid process and caused ligament damage to his right shoulder.
Whilst he initially opted for a conservative treatment plan featuring immobilisation and rest, at the start of this week Márquez went in for surgery. The surgery went well and he’s back home recovering. Consequently, the grid will be missing its champion in the upcoming Australian and Malaysian races.
“My goal is to be back before the end of the season, but without rushing things beyond the doctors’ recommendations.”
~ Marc Márquez speaking about his recovery and return.
Maverick Viñales
Another who is missing the race is Red Bull KTM Tech3 rider, Maverick Viñales. At the German Grand Prix earlier this year, he sustained a shoulder injury and has since been suffering issues. This injury has caused him to be sidelined in a number of races. Despite participating in qualifying, Viñales withdrew from the Indonesian round ahead of the sprint race. His withdrawal was due to a lack of strength in his shoulder that remained from his injury.
Team principal Hervé Poncharal has since said that Viñales feels as though his injury was regressing, not progressing and that they made the decision not to race together. Viñales will instead continue focusing on his recovery.
Returning and Replacement Riders
Recent rounds have seen a considerably smaller MotoGP grid than usual, with some out due to injuries. Some are set to return in Australia, such as Trackhouse MotoGP Team rookie Ai Ogura. The Japanese rider suffered a hand injury in Misano and whilst he raced in his home sprint, he had to withdraw from the main race. To continue his recovery, Ogura also missed the Indonesian Grand Prix, with Trackhouse MotoGP announcing his withdrawal in the lead up. Returning in Australia, Ogura is looking for a positive end to his rookie campaign.
Aprilia Racing have announced that Lorenzo Savadori will step in for Jorge Martín. The Italian rider was last seen in Catalonia where he retired. He’s raced in 10 previous weekends this season and currently has 8 points.
At the start of this week, Tech3 announced that Pol Espargaró will stand in for the injured Viñales at both Australia and Malaysia. Espargaró has already subbed in for the team at the Czech and Hungarian Grand Prix and finished in the top 10 both times.
Ducati Lenovo Team have also announced a replacement rider for the #93. They have chosen long-standing test rider Michele Pirro. He first raced in MotoGP in 2012 with San Carlo Honda Gresini and in 2013 became a test rider for Ducati. Australia will mark his 70th start in the class. With this replacement for Australia, Ducati are yet to announce who will be the substitute in Malaysia.
With only four rounds remaining, this year has seen few races with the full grid. This will continue at the upcoming rounds but will that change in the final two races? Hopefully, the champions can recover and return to form quickly.