The European summer is done and dusted — and the most thrilling chapter of the 2026 MotoGP season is about to unfold. Five Grands Prix across six weeks, spanning Asia and Oceania, stand between the championship contenders and the final chequered flag. And as the paddock touches down at Mobility Resort Motegi, the gap at the top is tighter than it has been all year.
Top Two: Martin Leads — Marquez Chasing Hard
When the chequered flag fell in Austria, the two title favourites were separated by just 12 points. It’s Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) who holds the advantage as the flyaway tour begins — a stark contrast to his visit to Motegi 12 months ago. Back then, a collision with teammate Marco Bezzecchi in the Sprint left him with a fractured collarbone and a weekend to forget. This time, he arrives as championship leader and the defending Japanese GP winner, having claimed victory here in 2025. He’s fresh from a double podium in Spielberg — Sprint win and second place on Sunday — and carries the momentum of a rider in total control.
For Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), Motegi holds equally powerful memories. It was here last year that he completed the most remarkable comeback in modern sporting history, clinching his seventh world title after years of injury and uncertainty. The narrative is different this time around. Marquez has won every Sunday race he has finished in 2026 — five from five — but inconsistent results elsewhere mean he trails Martin. He has, however, been unstoppable in the Tissot Sprint, racking up six victories across the season. It’s a classic contrast: consistent race winner versus Sprint specialist — and 12 points is all that stands between them at the top.
Chasing Pack: Bezzecchi and Acosta Keep the Dream Alive
Third in the standings, Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) remains very much in the fight, sitting 42 points behind Martin. That’s more than one full race weekend’s worth of points, but history suggests he cannot be counted out. Last season, it was the flyaway rounds — from Japan onwards — where Bezzecchi hit his stride, scoring the second-highest tally of points across the final stretch and securing his bronze medal finish. If he’s to close the gap this time, the next six weeks will define his season.
Then there’s Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing), who has emerged as the most dangerous late threat. The young Spaniard has reeled off five consecutive top-five finishes, standing on the podium in the last three — and claiming his maiden MotoGP victory on home ground in Austria. He arrives in Japan with nothing to lose and everything to gain. At this same stage last year, it was Acosta who exploded into contention across the overseas rounds, finishing as the third-highest scorer from Motegi onwards. He also came within a whisker of victory here during his rookie season. Can he do it again?
Home Hero and Rising Contenders
Ai Ogura (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team) heads into his home Grand Prix in impressive form, backing up a strong run with two fourth-place finishes in Austria. Having missed the Sunday race at Motegi last year, he’s eager to make amends — and the weight of a nation’s expectation will be driving him forward. He’s been one of the season’s standout performers, and a home podium would be the perfect reward.
Just ahead of Ogura in the standings is Fabio Di Giannantonio (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team), who sits within striking distance of the top four — just four points clear of Acosta. The Italian hasn’t managed a top-five finish in the last four races, however, and knows he needs to turn consistent points into podium positions if he’s to stay in the upper reaches of the table. He’s still very much in contention, but he’ll want to start making his presence felt in the closing stages.
Familiar Faces and Former Winners at Motegi
The Motegi entry list is packed with riders who know how to perform around the 2.983km circuit. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was a double winner here in 2025 — taking both the Sprint and Grand Prix — and while he’s played down his chances of repeating that success, it’s impossible to rule out a double World Champion on a track he clearly loves.
Raul Fernandez (SuperFile Trackhouse MotoGP Team) and Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) both secured top-10 finishes here last year and will look to repeat the trick. Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) rounds out the top 10, and the young Spaniard will be hoping to rediscover his early-season pace as the schedule intensifies.
Home Pride: Honda and Yamaha Fight for Japan
This is Honda and Yamaha’s home weekend, and the local support will be loud. For Honda, Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) has been the standout performer of the home marque so far this term and leads their charge. Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR) will be chasing a return to the top 10 after a tougher recent run, while Johann Zarco (Castrol Honda LCR) is targeting back-to-back double top-10 finishes.
Local fans will also cheer wildcard Takaaki Nakagami, returning to action on home soil. Defending podium finisher Joan Mir is absent through illness, so Somkiat Chantra steps in to fill the void.
Across the Yamaha camp, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) showed encouraging signs in Austria even if the results didn’t fully reflect it. He’s joined by teammate Alex Rins, plus the Prima Pramac Yamaha duo of Jack Miller and Toprak Razgatlioglu — all four will be hunting strong points as Yamaha seeks a resurgence on home ground.
Others to Watch
Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) heads into his final stint with KTM buoyed by a sixth-place finish in Austria, aiming to end his time with the team on a high. Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) will hope to rediscover his 2025 Motegi form, where he secured top-five finishes in both races, after a difficult recent spell. Enea Bastianini (Red Bull KTM Tech3) was a Sprint podium finisher here in 2024 and will look to return to the rostrum. Attention will also be on Maverick Viñales, who made a tentative return to action at the Austria tyre test — is he fully race-ready? We’ll find out soon.
What Lies Ahead
The alarms are set and the engines are warming up. Motegi is just the start — with Mandalika, Phillip Island, Sepang and Doha all waiting in the wings. With just 42 points covering the top three, and a resurgent pack chasing hard, this flyaway season could deliver one of the most unforgettable title showdowns in years. Don’t miss a single lap.
