Martin’s large problem: Emulating Rossi’s 2004 win on Aprilia debut

In 2024, Jorge Martin turned into the primary rider within the MotoGP technology to win the name with a satellite tv for pc crew, beating the same-spec manufacturing facility Ducati of Francesco Bagnaia.

It used to be a feat no longer observed within the premier elegance since Valentino Rossi gained the 500cc name with the Honda Europe-managed Nastro Azzurro crew in 2001 and Eddie Lawson claimed most sensible honours in 1989 on a Honda entered through the non-public Rothmans crew.

With the purpose of successful the championship now accomplished, the following large problem Martin faces is successful his first race with Aprilia, one thing that can be specifically tricky in an technology ruled through Ducati.

On the other hand, the chance is there, and the precedent of a protecting international champion successful his maiden race with a unique producer used to be set through Rossi in 2004.

After 4 seasons with Honda between 2000-2003 all through which he gained 3 titles and 33 grands prix, Rossi made up our minds to end up to the Eastern producer that he used to be making the variation, and no longer the motorbike, through signing for Yamaha all through its worst duration within the premier elegance.

Swiftly, on his debut with the Iwata-based emblem, Rossi gained the now-legendary South African GP at Welkom on 18 April 2004, having arrived to the crew as a protecting champion. The outcome set the tone for the remainder of the yr, and Rossi ended up lifting his fourth premier elegance name.

Martin, like Rossi, arrives at a brand new producer after successful the 2024 name with Ducati.

The 2025 season will kick off with the Thailand Grand Prix on the Chang Global Circuit, a observe the place he accomplished a double win in 2023. He additionally completed 2d in each races at Buriram closing yr, underlining how he’s constantly fast at that observe – a minimum of on a Desmosedici.

On the other hand, successful a race with Aprilia might not be simple since Ducati seems to have the ‘dream crew’ on paper, having signed six-time champion Marc Marquez to spouse its protege Francesco Bagnaia. However given Aprilia used to be the one producer rather than Ducati to attain a race win in 2024, then Martin must be favorite to spring a significant disenchanted to the GP25 runners this yr.

Stoner a expert in successful first races

Simplest Rossi has been ready to reach at a brand new manufacturing facility because the reigning champion and win his first race along with his new employer. On the other hand, the overall checklist of riders who switched producers – and even groups – and gained their first race with them contains a number of illustrious names, together with MotoGP legend Casey Stoner.

The Australian made his debut within the premier elegance in 2006 with LCR Honda and moved to the professional Ducati crew the next yr. On his debut with the Italian marque on the 2007 Qatar GP, Stoner stunned everybody through taking a huge victory, 3 seconds transparent of Rossi’s Yamaha and 9 seconds in entrance of Honda rider Dani Pedrosa.

However Stoner didn’t prevent there. After 4 seasons at Ducati, the Australian made up our minds to modify manufacturers once more in 2011, becoming a member of the professional Honda construction on a 3rd motorbike to spouse Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso.

Podium: race winner Casey Stoner, Repsol Honda Workforce, 2d position Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha Manufacturing facility Racing, 3rd position Dani Pedrosa, Repsol Honda Workforce

Photograph through: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Pictures

In his first look with the RC213V, once more on the Losail Global Circuit in Qatar, Stoner took victory forward of Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo and his new team-mates Pedrosa and Dovizioso, either one of whom completed greater than 5 seconds in the back of.

That yr the Australian used to be topped MotoGP champion for the second one time, ahead of saying his retirement on the finish of the 2012 season.

Every other rider to take victory in his first race after switching producers used to be Maverick Vinales.

The now Tech3 KTM rider made his debut within the most sensible elegance in 2015 with Suzuki and, after two years with the Hamamatsu outfit, he used to be recruited through Yamaha for 2017. On his first day out aboard the M1, the Spaniard took victory within the Qatar GP forward of Ducati’s Dovizioso and team-mate Rossi.