Jorge Martín knew wheelie crash was coming after US GP sprint win
Martin ended his 500-day victory drought with a fine performance in Austin on Saturday, but things went awry while he was returning to the pits
Motorsport photo Jorge Martin says he suspected a crash was inevitable as he attempted a wheelie on the in-lap following his victory in the United States Grand Prix sprint. The Spaniard was celebrating his first win since his title-winning 2024 campaign when he bizarrely fell off his Aprilia on the back straight. Martin lifted the front of the bike in the air in front of the packed Austin crowd, but as the wheel touched the ground, he lost control and hit the deck.
The 28-year-old was left with his head in his hands after the incident, but was able to walk away uninjured and return to the paddock. “It was full send,” he told the media, including Motorsport. com.
“With the wheelie, I knew I was going to crash at some point. “I wheelied in second gear, third gear, I saw it [the bike] wasn't coming up, so I couldn't control the front. “[I reached] fourth gear, and then as soon as I touched the ground, I just crashed.
“I'm sorry for the team. But today, they will be happy to work. So, no issues.