News Summary
- Martín leads Márquez by just two points, despite Aprilia taking the first four positions in Indonesia.
- Aprilia is considering team orders as Marco Bezzecchi, Raúl Fernández and Ai Ogura complicate Martín’s title challenge.
- Toprak Razgatlıoğlu and Fermín Aldeguer face injury concerns, while MotoGP prepares for its final Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island.
The latest MotoGP news on Monday, October 12, 2026, centres on a championship fight that remains separated by just two points, despite Aprilia producing one of the most dominant performances in its premier-class history.
Jorge Martín leads the standings with 355 points, followed by Ducati’s Marc Márquez on 353 and Marco Bezzecchi on 309. The Indonesian Grand Prix produced an Aprilia sweep of the first four positions, but Márquez managed to limit his championship losses and remain within striking distance of the leader.
Meanwhile, Aprilia is considering team orders, injuries have raised questions over the participation of several riders in Australia, and MotoGP has confirmed a new title sponsorship agreement for the Australian Grand Prix’s move to Adelaide in 2027.
Márquez remains two points behind Martín despite Aprilia domination
Marc Márquez emerged from the Indonesian Grand Prix still only two points behind Jorge Martín, despite Ducati being unable to match Aprilia’s race pace at Mandalika.
The reigning world champion won Saturday’s sprint, taking advantage of an opening-corner collision between Bezzecchi and Fernández and Martín’s difficulties with tyre pressure.
However, Aprilia dominated Sunday’s grand prix, with Bezzecchi winning ahead of Fernández, Martín and Ogura. Márquez finished sixth after battling Pedro Acosta.
The result allowed Martín to reclaim the championship lead, but the points gap remained unchanged across the weekend.
Márquez will have an opportunity to move ahead again at Phillip Island, where the championship calculations show he needs to outscore Martín by at least three points.
Aprilia considers team orders against Márquez
Aprilia is discussing whether to introduce team orders to strengthen Martín’s championship challenge, with technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini acknowledging that the manufacturer could reconsider its approach within the next one or two races.
The Italian company faces a complicated situation because Bezzecchi remains mathematically in contention for the championship, while Trackhouse riders Fernández and Ogura have demonstrated race-winning pace.
At Mandalika, Martín finished behind two other Aprilia riders, limiting the points he gained over Márquez despite the manufacturer’s dominance.
The manufacturer has not confirmed instructions requiring its riders to surrender positions.
The role of the independent Trackhouse operation has become particularly important, as explained in the analysis of how Fernández and Ogura could influence Aprilia’s team orders strategy.
Bezzecchi keeps MotoGP title hopes alive
Marco Bezzecchi secured his fifth grand prix victory of the season in Indonesia, moving to 309 championship points.
The Italian is now 46 points behind Martín, with five rounds remaining and 185 points still available.
His victory at Mandalika demonstrated Aprilia’s strength, but the gap to the championship leader means he needs a sustained run of strong results and setbacks for his rivals.
Bezzecchi’s ambitions could also be affected by the manufacturer’s consideration of team orders.
Read the full analysis: Can Bezzecchi still win the 2026 MotoGP title?.
Márquez criticises MotoGP’s €5,000 fines for riders
Márquez has also questioned MotoGP’s new promotional regulations, which introduce €5,000 fines for riders who fail to meet mandatory fan-engagement requirements.
The championship requires riders to spend a minimum period participating in activities such as the MotoGP Hero Walk, with penalties for non-compliance.
Márquez argued that the championship’s main attraction remains the racing itself and questioned the need for additional financial sanctions.
The rules were introduced during the Indonesian Grand Prix weekend.
Read more: Marc Márquez hits back at MotoGP’s new €5,000 fines for riders.
Razgatlıoğlu and Aldeguer face injury concerns before Australia
Two riders face uncertainty following difficult weekends in Indonesia.
Toprak Razgatlıoğlu suffered a right-shoulder dislocation and is undergoing further medical evaluation to determine whether surgery will be necessary.
The Pramac Yamaha rider’s condition could affect his preparations for the Australian Grand Prix.
Read more: Razgatlıoğlu faces surgery risk after Indonesian MotoGP shoulder injury.
Meanwhile, Fermín Aldeguer requires surgery after fracturing his right hand, following a weekend marked by four crashes at Mandalika.
The Gresini Ducati rider is expected to undergo treatment in Barcelona, with his recovery timetable yet to be confirmed.
Read more: Aldeguer’s Indonesian GP nightmare ends in surgery after four crashes.
When is the next MotoGP race?
The next MotoGP race is the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island, on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
The weekend begins on Friday, October 23, with practice sessions, followed by qualifying and the sprint on Saturday.
The Australian round is the 18th event of the season, with Malaysia, Qatar, Portugal and Valencia following before the championship concludes.
For the full programme, see the Australian MotoGP 2026 schedule and international start times.
The technical analysis of why Phillip Island could change the Martín–Márquez title fight also examines the circuit’s fast corners, tyre demands and the possible effect of Aprilia’s strategy.
