Jorge Martin’s hopes of turning pole-sitter Marco Bezzecchi’s early crash into a San Marino Grand Prix victory were dashed by a serious arm pump problem that sent him from first to fifth.
The Aprilia rider initially looked in control after passing Marc Marquez on lap eight of the 27-lap race. Martin quickly opened a gap of around eight-tenths of a second and appeared to have the pace to fight for the win.
That advantage disappeared soon after. Just before the halfway point, Martin’s pace dropped dramatically as the pain and weakness in his arm became increasingly difficult to manage. He began losing almost a second per lap to his rivals before eventually settling for fifth.
“I had a big issue with my arm pump,” Martin said after the race.
The problem became so severe that Martin felt he was “completely out of control of the bike”, particularly under braking and when trying to open the throttle.
Arm pump is a common issue among motorcycle racers, caused by increased pressure in the forearm that can restrict blood flow and affect muscle function. For Martin, it was an especially frustrating recurrence after he underwent surgery for the condition in 2019.
Source: Crash.net
He had already noticed some discomfort during Friday practice at Misano but believed it would settle down, as similar symptoms had done in the past. Instead, the issue became significantly worse during the race and ultimately cost him a potential victory.
The timing is particularly concerning for Martin, with the championship fight entering a crucial stage. Eight races are scheduled across the next nine weeks, leaving little time for the Aprilia rider to recover if surgery is required.
Martin is now tied with Marc Marquez at the top of the championship standings, making the decision over his arm increasingly important.
“We need to understand what to do after Austria if I have to undergo surgery or not,” Martin said.
Surgery could provide a long-term solution, but it would also require recovery time and potentially force Martin to miss races during a packed stretch of the season. Continuing to race without treatment, meanwhile, risks the problem returning at the worst possible moment.
What looked like a straightforward opportunity to strengthen his championship lead at Misano has therefore become a much bigger concern. Martin now faces a difficult choice between addressing the problem properly and protecting his title challenge in the weeks ahead.
