Marquez Completes Motegi Double — Title Gap Slashed to Just Two Points

The Mobility Resort Motegi witnessed a masterclass on Sunday as Marc Marquez delivered a flawless performance to win both the Sprint and the Grand Prix, closing the championship gap to a mere two points behind Jorge Martin. The title race has been blown wide open — and with the paddock now bound for Indonesia, the fight could not be closer. Here’s the full story across all three classes.

MotoGP: Marquez Perfect — Martin Holds Slim Lead as Bezzecchi Fends Off Bastianini

The Start — All on Hard Tyres

Before the lights even went out, one major decision united every rider: all opted for the hard compound rear Michelin tyre. It was a calculated gamble — with limited running on the hard option across the weekend, nobody knew exactly how the rubber would hold up over 24 laps. It was a journey into the unknown, and one that would define the race.

From pole, Jorge Martin got the jump and held the lead into Turn 1, with Marc Marquez settling into second. Behind them, Marco Bezzecchi and Alex Marquez — starting his comeback from the back after Saturday’s Lap 1 crash — moved past Pedro Acosta, dropping the Austrian GP winner to fifth. Acosta’s difficult afternoon worsened quickly; by Lap 2 he was down to eighth, demoted by Enea Bastianini, Raul Fernandez and home hero Ai Ogura.

Alex Marquez Serves Penalties — Lead Pair Pull Clear

The race settled into a rhythm at the front, Martin and Marquez matching each other lap for lap with times in the 1’43.6s bracket. By Lap 5, the gap between them was just 0.4s, with Bezzecchi a further 0.6s adrift and already struggling to stay in touch.

Alex Marquez began serving his double Long Lap penalty on Lap 5, dropping to fifth, and completed the second on Lap 7 — falling to ninth behind Diogo Moreira, the Sprint podium finisher making steady progress.

The Move — Marquez Strikes at Turn 9

As the race passed its halfway point, the top two had pulled 1.9s clear of Bezzecchi. Martin and Marquez traded fastest laps, neither yielding an inch — until Lap 11. Marquez dived down the inside at Turn 9, perfectly executing the overtake and taking the lead. Martin responded immediately, but Marquez edged away to 0.8s by Lap 15.

Behind them, the complexion changed: Bezzecchi and Bastianini began lapping faster than Martin, who was losing ground. The gap from Martin to Bezzecchi grew to 1.3s, and Bastianini closed to within 1.9s of the podium place. Martin found a fraction of pace on Lap 16, trimming the lead to 0.7s, but Marquez had an answer every time — a blistering 1’43.291s stretched the advantage back to 1.2s.

Last-Lap Drama — Bastianini Almost Snatches Third

The final laps were breathless. Bastianini reeled in Bezzecchi, setting four consecutive fastest laps and closing to within a wheel’s length on the final tour. Bezzecchi defended courageously, holding on by just 0.182s to secure the podium. Up ahead, Marquez crossed the line to win by 1.2s — his 79th career victory — and with it, the title gap shrank to just two points: Martin 333pts, Marquez 331pts. Bezzecchi sits third, now 49 points adrift.

Full MotoGP Result

Moto2: Guevara Wins — Gonzalez Hits Trouble, Title Gap Down to 10.5 Points

Grid Drama — Gonzalez Starts from the Pits

Before a wheel turned, the championship picture shifted dramatically. Title leader Manuel Gonzalez suffered a clutch issue on the grid and was wheeled away, starting the race from the pitlane nearly 30 seconds down. His rival Izan Guevara had no such problems, storming into the lead from pole as the lights went out.

Tony Arbolino slotted into second and shadowed Guevara relentlessly throughout the 19-lap race, ending a 34-race podium drought in spectacular fashion. Filip Salač completed the rostrum, continuing his consistent run of form.

Guevara Holds Firm — Maximum Damage Done

By mid-race, Guevara led by 0.5s from Arbolino, who was applying constant pressure. A bold lunge at Turn 9 with three laps remaining didn’t quite stick, but it served as a warning — and Guevara responded by finding another half-second to secure the win.

Gonzalez fought valiantly from the back but could only manage 19th, scoring zero points. The championship gap has been slashed from 35.5 to just 10.5 points heading to Indonesia. Ivan Ortola held off David Alonso and Celestino Vietti for fourth, while Deniz Öncü earned his best finish of the season in seventh.

Moto3: Almansa Denies Quiles — Title Decider Heads to Indonesia Too

Penalty Drama — Uriarte Leads Then Loses It

David Almansa grabbed the holeshot, but Brian Uriarte swept past to lead on Lap 3. The complexion changed on Lap 8: Uriarte was handed a double Long Lap penalty for illegal post‑grid repairs, handing the lead back to Almansa. The Spaniard set fastest laps but couldn’t shake Alvaro Carpe and title leader Maximo Quiles, who reeled them in to make it a three‑way fight.

Last-Lap Showdown — Almansa Blocks Perfectly

With five laps to go, Quiles moved into second and looked set to strike. A mistake at Turn 8 briefly cost him momentum, but he closed back to within half a second — setting up a thrilling final lap. Quiles threw everything at Almansa, looking up the inside at Turns 11, 13 and 14, but Almansa defended flawlessly every time to win by 0.163s. Quiles settled for second and will have to wait until Indonesia to seal the crown; he still holds a commanding 131‑point lead. Carpe completed the podium.

Rico Salmela matched his career‑best in fifth, with home hero Ryusei Yamanaka seventh — his best result of the season.

What’s Next — Lombok Awaits

The numbers tell the story:

• MotoGP: 2 points separate Martin and Marquez. Bezzecchi 49 back.
• Moto2: 10.5 points between Gonzalez and Guevara.
• Moto3: Quiles still on match point — could seal it in Indonesia.

The Pertamina Mandalika International Circuit hosts Round 17 in one week’s time. Aprilia has historically been strong there — but Marquez has momentum on his side. Don’t miss the next chapter.