Lorenzo Savadori’s workload for the Sepang MotoGP test has become greater as he has been called on to fill in for Jorge Martin.

Martin will be forced to miss next week’s Sepang MotoGP test after undergoing two surgeries in January, one on his scaphoid and another on his collarbone, as initially reported by Motorsport.com. The surgeries were both in relation to injuries sustained in 2025, not to new injuries sustained in the off-season, and were required due to a lack of progress in Martin’s recovery.

Aprilia has now confirmed that Martin will be forced to miss next week’s Sepang test on 3–5 February as a result of the surgeries, and that the factory’s official test rider, Lorenzo Savadori, will replace him.

For the Italian, the call to replace Martin in the official test comes in addition to his work as test rider during the Shakedown test which takes place from 29–31 January.

“At Sepang, I’ll have a lot of work scheduled on all eight bikes, including those of the Trackhouse MotoGP Team, and there will be many new solutions to try, even during the following three days of official testing,” said Savadori.

“I can’t wait to be back on track and test the RS-GP26. 

“Regarding Jorge [Martin], it’s important that he returns to full physical fitness as soon as possible. 

“Of course, it’s a shame not to have him in Malaysia for the tests, but the most important thing is that he recovers well ahead of the start of the season.”

Aprilia says that Martin will be in Malaysia, likely due to the MotoGP season launch event on 6–7 February in Kuala Lumpur. Additionally, it says that Martin’s absence from the Sepang test is “aimed at ensuring Martin’s full recovery and peak physical condition ahead of the season opening.”

The MotoGP season is due to start on 27 February – 1 March at Buriram, which will also host the final preseason test on 21–22 February.