The first leg of MotoGP’s high-intensity flyaway stretch has arrived, and it begins at none other than the legendary Mobility Resort Motegi in Japan. For the paddock, Motegi is more than just another stop on the calendar – it’s Honda’s home track, Yamaha’s proving ground, and now the stage for one of the biggest storylines in recent memory.
All eyes are on Marc Márquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) as he heads into his first match point weekend of 2025. The #93 needs to outscore his younger brother Álex Márquez (BK8 Gresini Racing) by just three points on Sunday afternoon to clinch his long-awaited seventh MotoGP World Championship crown. On paper, that seems straightforward. In reality, Motegi is a circuit that demands perfection, and Marc himself admitted that the task “looks easy… but it won’t be.”
Thursday Takeaways and Talking Points
Marc Márquez on his title shot:
The six-time premier-class champion opened up about how he views the opportunity. After years of injuries and struggles, Marc spoke candidly about feeling like he’s been given a “second life” in MotoGP. The hunger, he says, is as strong as it was back in 2013 when he shocked the paddock with his debut title.
Álex Márquez looks ahead to 2026:
The younger Márquez brother, enjoying his best season yet, was all smiles as he spoke about his upcoming factory-spec machinery reward with BK8 Gresini in 2026. “Super happy for me and the team,” said Álex, making clear that while the title fight may be nearly wrapped up, he still has plenty of reasons to keep pushing in the final rounds.
Jorge Martín’s reflections:
The reigning champion admitted that watching Marc’s revival has given him inspiration. Martín noted that Marc’s resilience sets an example he wants to follow as he works to rediscover the winning touch with Aprilia Racing.
Ai Ogura’s homecoming:
For local hero Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team), Motegi is more than just another round. “It’s one of my favourite circuits,” said the Japanese rider, who is relishing the chance to race in front of his home crowd for the first time in the premier class. Ogura is determined to deliver a performance that matches the occasion.
Pre-Event Press Conference
The official Thursday press conference brought together three riders brimming with storylines. Marc Márquez, his recent Misano rival Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing), and home favourite Ai Ogura sat down to debrief and field questions from the media. Between Marc’s title hunt, Bezzecchi’s growing momentum, and Ogura’s home race anticipation, the session delivered plenty of headlines.
Around Motegi: Riders Hit Tokyo
The Japanese Grand Prix isn’t just about the on-track drama. On Wednesday, a group of MotoGP stars took over Shinjuku, Tokyo, for a massive fan event in the heart of the city. The energy was electric as riders met fans, signed autographs, and brought the sport closer to the Japanese faithful.
Strike a pose! 2025 official grid photo from Motegi
Looking Ahead
With track action set to begin on Friday, all the ingredients are in place for a historic weekend at Motegi. Marc Márquez has the chance to complete one of the most remarkable comebacks in sporting history, while rivals old and new are eager to make their own mark on Honda and Yamaha’s home turf.
The stage is set in Japan – and history is waiting.
