Marquez Completes Motegi Double to Close Within Two Points of Martin in MotoGP Title Race
Marc Marquez won Sunday's MotoGP race at Motegi to complete a Japanese double and cut Jorge Martin's lead to two points heading to Mandalika.
Marc Marquez completed a perfect weekend at the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, winning the main MotoGP race at Motegi after taking Saturday's Sprint. The Ducati rider finished 1.363 seconds ahead of championship leader Jorge Martin, slashing the Aprilia rider's lead from seven points to just two with the Asian swing in full flow.
How Marquez won it
Martin started from pole and led the early laps, with Marquez sitting right behind him. On lap 11 of 24, Marquez made his move at Turn 9 and took the lead. Martin tried to respond, but Marquez steadily pulled clear and controlled the closing stages.
"Once in the lead, I simply managed my pace and pushed when he got closer," Marquez said, according to Coffee Corner Motorsport.
The fight for third was even closer. Enea Bastianini put in a stunning late charge for KTM Tech3, setting the fastest lap on each of the last four laps, including a 1m43.041 that MCNews said broke the race lap record by more than a second. He fell just 0.078 seconds short of Marco Bezzecchi at the line.
Top 10 at Motegi
- Marc Marquez (Ducati)
- Jorge Martin (Aprilia), +1.363s
- Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia), +2.252s
- Enea Bastianini (KTM), +2.330s
- Raul Fernandez (Aprilia), +14.815s
- Ai Ogura (Aprilia), +15.210s
- Pedro Acosta (KTM), +16.928s
- Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), +20.333s
- Fermin Aldeguer (Ducati), +23.545s
- Luca Marini (Honda), +25.677s
Crashes and drama
- Diogo Moreira crashed on lap 9 while running eighth.
- Alex Marquez crashed on lap 19 after serving two long-lap penalties.
- Johann Zarco and Jack Miller both fell but rejoined.
Coffee Corner Motorsport reported that all riders were uninjured.
What the riders said
Marquez said the weekend had gone to plan: "I'm really happy with the 37 points we scored this weekend, because that was the goal," he told MCNews.
Martin remained upbeat despite losing ground. "I feel privileged to be leading the championship while battling Marc. It's incredible," he said.
Bezzecchi called third "a really hard-earned podium, as Bastianini was very quick", while Bastianini said: "I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, to be able to ride like that."
MotoGP standings after Motegi (top 6)
- Jorge Martin – 333
- Marc Marquez – 331
- Marco Bezzecchi – 284
- Pedro Acosta – 243
- Ai Ogura – 237
- Fabio Di Giannantonio – 230
Coffee Corner Motorsport said two points is the smallest championship gap after 16 rounds in MotoGP history. MCNews added that Ducati and Aprilia are now tied on 469 points in the constructors' standings.
Next up: Mandalika
The championship moves straight on to Indonesia's Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit, with the race on 11 October. For Malaysian fans, the title battle is shaping up nicely ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang later in the Asian swing, where home hero Hakim Danish will be racing in Moto3.
Key takeaways
- Marquez won both the Sprint and the Grand Prix at Motegi, scoring 37 points.
- Martin finished second and leads by just two points, 333 to 331.
- Bastianini missed the podium by 0.078s after a record-breaking late charge.
- Next round: Mandalika, Indonesia, 11 October.
FAQ
Who won the MotoGP race at Motegi in 2026? Marc Marquez (Ducati), ahead of Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi.
What is the MotoGP championship gap now? Jorge Martin leads Marc Marquez by two points, 333 to 331.
Where is the next MotoGP race? Mandalika in Indonesia, with the race on 11 October.
Sources: MCNews, Coffee Corner Motorsport, Crash.net