The Japan Times - 'Slow but steady' progress for Martin after Qatar MotoGP crash

The 27-year-old, who was making his first appearance of the season, slid out shortly after the halfway mark at Lusail and was clipped by the Italian Fabio Di Giannantonio who was just behind him.

His team said he had broken ribs and blood and air in the space round his lungs.

"Jorge Martin suffered a haemopneumothorax associated with multiple rib fractures," Aprilia said in a statement.

"The rider's clinical condition is showing a slow but steady improvement following medical examinations at the circuit's medical centre and later at Hamad General Hospital."

"He is currently under observation as the pleuropulmonary trauma required immediate drainage to allow lung re-expansion. The rib fractures are causing significant pain and are an additional limitation to basic physical activity."

Martin, who joined Aprilia in the off-season from Ducati-Pramac, missed the first three races because of another accident in testing.

"Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who has supported me," he said in the team statement.

"These have been difficult days but now I'm starting to move a bit more and feel better, although the pain is still intense.

"I'd like to thank Aprilia, my fans and everyone who is helping me. I will continue to fight to be one of the strongest ever."

Martin, who now has next to no chance of defending his title, was first injured during pre-season testing in Sepang and had to undergo surgery at the beginning of February.

He then suffered another crash which necessitated another operation on his left hand at the end of February, just before the opening round of the season in Thailand.

The Spaniard, who will be out for an unspecified number of races, will be replaced by Italian Lorenzo Savadori for the Spanish GP at Jerez de la Frontera next week.

K.Inoue--JT