MotoGP Japanese GP: Marquez Beats Martin in Early Duel to Close Points Gap
Marquez completed a sprint-race double and said the race was tough before he moved ahead on lap 11 and controlled the finish.
- On Sunday, Ducati Lenovo rider Marc Marquez won the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi, completing a sprint-race double and cutting championship leader Jorge Martin's advantage to two points with six events remaining.
- Following the Sprint, Michelin withdrew the soft rear tyre after blistering concerns, prompting an extended 20-minute warm-up session where the entire field tested the hard compound for the grand prix.
- On lap 11, Marquez pounced at Turn 9, exploiting a sliver of space on Martin's inside to take the lead. The seven-time champion controlled the pace to the chequered flag, securing his sixth win of the 2026 season.
- Martin admitted he had 'a good package to fight for the rest of the season' despite the loss. Aprilia Racing teammate Marco Bezzecchi completed the podium after fending off a late charge from Enea Bastianini.
- With only two points separating the leaders, the championship battle moves to the Pertamina Mandalika International Street Circuit in Indonesia. The next round is scheduled for October 9-11.
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The Catalan driver beat Jorge Martín and the distance between the two in the general standings is practically minimal. Márquez later avoided an exhibition of kartings using a double.
The Spanish rider Marc Márquez (Ducati) has achieved this Sunday the victory in the MotoGP race of the Grand Prix of Japan, 16th test of the World Motorcycling Championship, ahead of the leader Jorge Martín (Aprilia), from which he now separates only two points in the championship general in the absence of six appointments for the end of the season.After winning the sprint of Saturday, Cervera sealed his doublet in a day in which he managed to a…
Motul Grand Prix 2026: Marc Marquez Doubles Up at Motegi to Reel in Jorge Martin
Get latest articles and stories on Sports at LatestLY. The 2026 Motul Grand Prix of Japan delivered a scintillating double victory for Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), who battled past title rival Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) on Sunday afternoon to chop the standings lead back down to that ultra-slim margin ahead of a trip to Indonesia. Sports News | Motul Grand Prix 2026: Marc Marquez Doubles Up at Motegi to Reel in Jorge Martin.
The reigning champion wins in Japan and stays just two points away from the lead
The Spaniard Marc Márquez has added his fifth 'full' of the season by winning the sprint race and the MotoGP Japan Grand Prix on the circuit...
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