News Summary
- Martín leads Márquez by just two points, with 333 against 331 after the Japanese Grand Prix.
- The Aprilia rider praised his rival but remains determined to fight for the championship.
- Fuel management complicated Martín’s defence before Márquez took the lead on lap 11.
Jorge Martín described fighting Marc Márquez for the MotoGP championship as a “privilege” after finishing second in the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday, 4 October. The Aprilia rider remains championship leader, but Márquez’s Sprint and Grand Prix victories reduced his advantage from 12 points to just two.
Martín started from pole and led the opening stages at Motegi, before Márquez overtook him at Turn 9 on lap 11. Despite keeping pressure on the Ducati rider, he finished 1.363 seconds behind, with Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi completing the podium.
Speaking after the race at Motegi, Martín acknowledged the difficulty of taking on the reigning champion while emphasising the significance of remaining ahead in the standings.
“It is a privilege to be fighting with Marc at this stage in the championship and still in the lead,” Martín said.
Martín has 333 points, Márquez 331 and Bezzecchi 284. Márquez collected the maximum 37 points in Japan, while Martín took 27 after finishing third in the Sprint and second in the Grand Prix.
Martín admits his best was not enough at Motegi
The disappointment came from how well Martín felt he had ridden. Aprilia was competitive throughout the weekend, allowing him to secure pole position and challenge for victory on a circuit where the manufacturer had previously struggled.
In an interview with TNT Sports after the race, he recognised that his performance had still fallen short of what was needed to defeat Márquez.
“The pace was unbelievably fast, but yeah even on one of my good days, it was impossible to beat him,” Martín said.
Martín also identified fuel management as a complication during his spell in the lead. He had to adjust his pace, and Márquez took advantage of that phase to attack.
Following the Ducati then presented a different challenge. Martín experienced greater difficulty stopping his Aprilia, which complicated his attempts to recover the position. He continued pushing in the hope of closing the gap or forcing a mistake, but Márquez retained control.
There were encouraging signs within that defeat. Martín felt he had reduced some of his disadvantage in left-hand corners, although Márquez remained particularly strong through the first sector.
Championship leader refuses to give up
The two-point margin leaves the championship open heading into the Indonesian Grand Prix. Martín’s respect for Márquez does not diminish his determination to beat him.
“It is clear that I will not give up, I am here to fight to win,” he said during the post-race press conference.
For Martín, Japan also demonstrated how far his situation has improved. He contrasted Sunday’s podium with leaving Motegi injured a year earlier, while Aprilia’s performance gave him further confidence in its current package.
Mandalika presents another challenge: Martín did not race there last season and will need to establish his starting point with the Aprilia during practice. He highlighted the circuit’s frequently dirty surface and the precision required to negotiate it.
His priority is to maximise each weekend, rather than assume that previous results guarantee an advantage. With Márquez now within two points, every Sprint and Grand Prix can change the championship lead.
MotoGP returns from 9–11 October at Mandalika for the Indonesian Grand Prix. GRANDE PRÊMIO will cover all the action throughout the weekend.
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.
