Aleix Espargaro has addressed speculation that he has talked Jorge Martin into joining Honda for 2026.

Rumours suggesting that Jorge Martin could leave Aprilia for Honda have been circulating in the MotoGP paddock, but HRC Test Rider, Aleix Espargaro, insists he has ‘never pushed him to join Honda’.

After the French Grand Prix, the bombshell that Martin could leave Aprilia at the end of 2025 was dropped on the paddock, with his apparent favoured destination being Honda.

Ahead of the British Grand Prix, Aprilia released a statement denying the claims that they had discussed breaking their contract with Martin.

With this new report, all speculation went towards Espargaro, as he was instrumental in orchestrating Martin’s move to Aprilia for 2025.

Ahead of his second wildcard of the season at the British Grand Prix, Espargaro addressed the speculation.

“Nothing I can say,” he stated.

“The only thing that I would like to say is that if Jorge is in Aprilia - I’m not saying that it’s my fault or it’s thanks to me - but I pushed Aprilia management a lot, I pushed Jorge a lot to try to convince him as much as possible.

“He had to decide between two or three different manufacturers, and I pushed him quite a lot to sign for Aprilia.

“I never, ever - I swear - talked to him to join Honda. I think it’s not the right time yet.

“Obviously, Jorge’s an amazing rider. Every team would like to have the world champion, that’s for sure.

“I would love to see Jorge winning races with Aprilia. But the one thing I would say is that I never pushed him to join Honda.”

While there has been denial from Aprilia, Espargaro stated he is “not surprised” about the situation.

“This is about the athletes and their minds,” Espargaro explained to the media.

“Nobody in this room, not even me, can understand how much he was suffering through the first three or four months of the year during the injury, due to the frustration.

“So, when you are in this position you never know what you will do, what your head will decide.”