Sports · Motorsport · 44 mins ago
Jorge Martin avoids penalty after Indonesian GP start video sparks debate
Jorge Martin finished third at the Indonesian MotoGP Grand Prix after a difficult weekend.
The result put the Aprilia rider two points ahead of Marc Marquez in the championship standings, with the Australian Grand Prix next.
A video posted on Instagram showed Martin moving in his starting position before the race began, prompting claims that he had jumped the start.
The rules penalise a rider who moves forward when the red lights go out, and a jump start usually brings two Long Lap penalties.
The video does not show the start lights, but the account of the incident says Martin had stopped when they went out.
His front tyre remained on the painted grid marking, which is allowed under the rules.
Officials also have cameras and sensors to monitor starts, and they decide whether a rider gained an advantage from a small movement.
Jorge Martín was not penalised after a social media video raised questions about whether he jumped the start at the Indonesian Grand Prix.
The video showed Martín moving in his grid spot before the start, but did not show the start lights.
Crash.net reported that he was stationary when the red lights went out and that his tyre remained on the painted grid line.
MotoGP rules define a jump start as the motorcycle moving forward when the red lights are turned off.
Martín finished third and held a two-point lead over Marc Márquez in the championship after the race.
- Who
- Jorge Martín, Aprilia MotoGP rider.
- What
- He was not penalised after a video prompted claims that he jumped the start.
- When
- At the Indonesian Grand Prix; the articles were published on 12 and 13 October 2026.
- Where
- The Mandalika circuit in Indonesia.
- Why
- The video showed movement before the start, but the reports say he was stationary when the red lights went out and his tyre stayed on the painted grid line.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Motorsport.com says the latest version of the MotoGP Sporting Regulations was published.
Martín finished third, and a video of his movement on the grid later drew scrutiny on social media.
Crash.net published its report explaining why Martín did not break the rules.
Motorsport.com published its report on why Martín was not penalised.
- Race result
- Third place
- Championship lead
- Two points over Marc Márquez
- Race location
- Mandalika circuit, Indonesia
- Start-rule test
- The motorcycle must be stationary when the red lights are turned off
- Standard jump-start penalty
- Two Long Lap Penalties
What people are saying
The motorcycle must be stationary at the time the red lights are turned off.
Anticipation of the start is defined by the motorcycle moving forward at the time the red lights are turned off.
Sources
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