News Summary
- Márquez prioritised his race preparation over a karting event held after warm-up at Motegi.
- The Ducati rider said he was reprimanded after sending a substitute.
- His Japanese GP victory completed a 37-point weekend, leaving Martín just 2 points ahead.
Marc Márquez defended his decision to miss a promotional karting event at Motegi, insisting that his championship challenge had to take priority. Speaking after winning the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, the Ducati rider explained that he had sent a substitute after requesting ice following warm-up.
“We are fighting for the championship; we are not here to joke around and drive go-karts,” Márquez said.
The defending MotoGP champion said he understood the entertainment aspect but believed there should be limits. He reported being reprimanded over his absence and argued that protecting his preparation was necessary when racing for the title.
The promotional event took place between warm-up and the Grand Prix. Márquez subsequently beat Martín in the Japanese GP to reduce the championship gap to just 2 points, adding Sunday’s 25 points to the 12 he had earned in Saturday’s Sprint.
Márquez controls the race after passing Martín
Márquez overtook Martín on lap 11 and won by 1.363s, with Marco Bezzecchi completing the podium. The result left Martín on 333 points and Márquez on 331, while Bezzecchi sits third with 284.
Márquez described following Martín as demanding and said moving ahead allowed him to establish his preferred rhythm. He explained that he adjusted his pace as the Aprilia rider approached, balancing speed against the risk of a crash.
He also acknowledged initial doubts about the reinforced hard rear tyre, but credited the work completed with Ducati for a successful weekend. Despite the close championship standings, he declined to describe the title fight as exclusively between himself and Martín.
Indonesia presents the next challenge
The championship now moves to Mandalika, where Márquez has yet to finish a MotoGP Grand Prix.
“I’ve never finished there,” he said.
MotoGP returns from 9–11 October for the Indonesian Grand Prix. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action at Mandalika.
MotoGP today: FAQ
Who won the Japanese MotoGP race today?
Marc Márquez won the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi, finishing 1.363s ahead of Jorge Martín. Marco Bezzecchi completed the podium, while Márquez secured a weekend double after also winning Saturday’s Sprint.
Who leads the MotoGP championship after the Japanese GP?
Jorge Martín remains the MotoGP championship leader with 333 points, just 2 ahead of Marc Márquez on 331. Márquez’s two victories in Japan reduced the gap from 12 points at the start of the weekend.
When is the next MotoGP race?
The next MotoGP race is the Indonesian Grand Prix at Mandalika on Sunday, 11 October 2026. The weekend runs from 9–11 October.
