Jorge Martin has explained that he and his Aprilia team had already agreed he would not finish the Valencia Grand Prix, as he was still not fit enough to complete a full MotoGP race.

Martin missed the previous four rounds because he broke his collarbone and needed surgery. Although he returned to ride in Valencia, he only managed 15 laps of the 27-lap race before going back into the pits. When he stopped outside the Aprilia garage, the whole team applauded him. They were happy to see him back after a very difficult season in which he suffered four different injuries.

At the start of the race, Martin dropped to 21st place after he purposely ran off the track on the opening lap. It was already clear that he planned to stay out of trouble and ride safely at the back.

After the race, Martin said that even his early retirement had been decided before the start. He said the pain from his injury meant he simply could not ride the whole distance.

He explained to motorsport.com: “I knew exactly where to go, so I went off the track. There was no point riding in the middle of the group, especially after seeing the crash between Zarco and Bagnaia. I didn’t want that to happen to me. I did a couple of laps, then I just tried to learn a few things about the bike.”

Martin also said he felt extremely tired all weekend. “We already agreed that the smartest plan was to stop after a few laps. I did 15, a bit more than in the sprint race, so that is positive. But I was very tired and in pain, so continuing made no sense.”

On Friday, Martin had said that another crash would be a disaster for him, as his body was still healing only six weeks after his collarbone operation. However, he felt it was important to ride in Valencia because the circuit was hosting the official post-season test on Tuesday.

He said: “I had pain, but the main thing was that I couldn’t risk a crash. I spent the whole weekend riding safely, without taking risks. This loses a lot of time, but it won’t be a problem when we start again in February. Now I need to recover.”

For Tuesday’s official test, Martin will try the same Aprilia frame that Marco Bezzecchi and Raul Fernandez used to take first and second place in the Valencia Grand Prix. Aprilia hopes this new package will help Martin adapt to the RS-GP more quickly next season.

Martin added: “I changed some things on the bike today, but they were not the right direction. Still, we learned more. We worked on the engine maps and tried to understand what I need from this bike. We are improving and making steps forward.”

He said the main goal now is to test properly on Tuesday, even if he is not fully fit. “In February, I will be ready to push again and take the risks needed. We know we are missing only three or four tenths for victory.”