News Summary
- Marc Márquez revealed that he felt dizzy after the Indonesian MotoGP sprint podium, something he said had never happened to him before.
- The Ducati rider criticised the post-race protocol in Mandalika’s heat and humidity, leaving the golf cart procedure to cool down and recover.
- Márquez leads Jorge Martín by four points heading into Sunday’s 27-lap Grand Prix, after taking his eighth sprint victory of 2026.
Marc Márquez has revealed that he felt dizzy after celebrating his victory in the Indonesian MotoGP sprint, admitting that he had never previously experienced such a reaction and criticising the demands of the post-race podium protocol at Mandalika.
The Ducati rider won Saturday’s 13-lap sprint ahead of Ai Ogura and Fabio Di Giannantonio, moving four points clear of Jorge Martín at the top of the championship. However, the intense heat and humidity, combined with the physical demands of the race, left Márquez struggling after the podium ceremony.
Speaking to reporters, the Spaniard explained that he had to take additional measures to cool down and recover ahead of Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Márquez reveals dizziness after Mandalika podium
Márquez acknowledged that the intensity of the sprint had taken a considerable physical toll, particularly when he was pushing to maintain lap times in the 1m29s range.
He said he changed out of his racing equipment and used cold water to lower his body temperature after the race.
“Then, after the podium, I was dizzy. It never happened before, but today it happened,” Márquez said.
“Now I’ve come back [to normal]. But it’s normal. It’s a nightmare: the podium, the sprint race, the leather suit.”
The Ducati rider explained that he had decided to leave part of the usual post-race procedure to concentrate on his recovery.
“Today, when I felt that, I jumped from the golf cart and I went to my office and I tried to go back.”
The conditions at Mandalika are particularly demanding because of the combination of high temperatures and humidity, with riders required to complete the race while wearing protective leather suits, helmets and other equipment.
Márquez criticises MotoGP post-race demands
In additional comments to DAZN España, Márquez questioned the value of keeping riders in their equipment for extended periods after an intense sprint.
He described the procedure as inhumane, arguing that although the celebrations produce good photographs, they are not ideal for preparing athletes for another race the following day.
Márquez said riders should receive the same attention to performance and recovery as their motorcycles, explaining that he had chosen to change clothes and cool down rather than complete the usual golf cart procedure.
The Spaniard’s comments came after a particularly demanding race in which he had to manage his pace while chasing Martín, before benefiting from the Aprilia rider’s front tyre-pressure difficulties.
GRANDE PRÊMIO reported how Márquez unexpectedly won the Mandalika sprint, having arrived at the Indonesian circuit expecting to lose ground to his championship rival.
Márquez still expects a difficult Indonesian Grand Prix
Despite Saturday’s victory, Márquez insisted that his objective for Sunday’s Grand Prix remained to minimise the points lost to Martín rather than assume Ducati would be the fastest motorcycle.
“I was expecting to lose points against Martín,” Márquez said. “Our target is, and tomorrow it’s the same, try to not lose a lot of points.”
The Spaniard acknowledged that Saturday’s result had exceeded his expectations, but maintained that the longer race would present a different challenge.
Márquez is considering using the medium rear tyre for Sunday’s 27-lap contest, having observed that the softer compound can lose performance on its left side as the race progresses.
The Ducati rider now has 343 championship points, four more than Martín, following Saturday’s victory. The complete account of the sprint and championship change is available in GRANDE PRÊMIO.
The complete Indonesian MotoGP schedule, including qualifying and broadcast information is available in GRANDE PRÊMIO‘s weekend guide. GRANDE PRÊMIO provides full coverage of the MotoGP championship.
