News summary

Jorge Martín is confident he can maintain his lead in the Riders’ Championship even if Marc Márquez closes in. The Aprilia rider believes the remaining MotoGP schedule includes several circuits that should suit him.

Despite leading the championship, Martín has endured an up-and-down 2026 season. After dominating the French GP weekend, the #89 has won just one Sprint, at Silverstone. At Aragón last weekend, the 2024 World Champion finished outside the podium places.

MotorLand Aragón was one of the circuits where Jorge did not race last year because of a series of injuries, but the rider does not believe that explains his subdued performance. Martín pointed out that even Marco Bezzecchi, who finished on the podium, struggled at Alcañiz.

“That’s not an excuse, because there are some races where I didn’t race last month and I was still fast,” Martín said in an interview with MotoGP. “I just struggled. We tried to keep everything simple and not touch the bike too much. But in the end, today I needed some help,” he continued.

Jorge Martín is confident of maintaining his MotoGP championship lead (Photo: MotoGP)

“Even Marco, who I think was almost the favorite, struggled during the race,” he stressed. “I think that’s part of a championship. In some races, we are better. In some, we are worse. The important thing is to learn, keep building speed and confidence, and go to the next one with optimism. I won [at Misano] in the past, and it’s a really good track for me. I think Aprilia can perform extremely well there, and I hope to enjoy the weekend,” he added.

After a subdued performance in Aragón, Martín saw his advantage shrink, and he now holds just a 19-point lead over Marc Márquez, who moved into second place. Bezzecchi dropped to third, 24 points behind the championship leader. Márquez’s double victory at Aragón reshaped the title fight and put the Ducati rider firmly back into contention.

“I think Marco and Marc are title contenders alongside me,” Martín said. “I feel that, even though I’m still in a learning process, I’m leading. So it’s crazy. I’m super happy. I think that from now on, I can maintain this lead. Even if Marc closes in,” he commented.

“I think there are some really good races for me, and I hope everything we have learned during these 14 races can help me in the fight,” he concluded.

Martín had already adopted a points-focused approach ahead of Aragón, where he said he would gladly accept two second-place finishes rather than take unnecessary risks against Márquez. That strategy paid off as he retained the championship lead despite Márquez’s dominant weekend.

The 2026 MotoGP title fight now heads to Misano, a circuit Martín believes can favor both himself and Aprilia. The Italian track will host the San Marino and Rimini Riviera GP from September 11 to 13, the 14th round of the season.

MotoGP returns to action from September 11 to 13 at the San Marino and Rimini Riviera GP, the 14th round of the 2026 season. GRANDE PRÊMIO will provide complete coverage of the weekend, as well as all other classes of the Motorcycle World Championship. Follow all the latest developments in the MotoGP section of GRANDE PRÊMIO.

FAQ

1. How many points does Jorge Martín lead Marc Márquez by in MotoGP?

After the Aragón GP, Jorge Martín leads Marc Márquez by 19 points in the 2026 MotoGP Riders’ Championship. Marco Bezzecchi is a further five points behind Márquez.

2. Why is Martín confident about the remaining MotoGP races?

The Aprilia rider believes several of the remaining circuits suit his riding style and the RS-GP, including Misano, where he has previously won. He therefore expects to be able to score strongly and defend his championship advantage.

3. Who are Martín’s main rivals for the 2026 MotoGP title?

Martín identified Marc Márquez and Marco Bezzecchi as his main title rivals. Márquez currently sits second, 19 points behind, while Bezzecchi is third, 24 points off the lead.