The dust has barely settled after a historic weekend in Motegi, yet the paddock is already packing its bags for Lombok and the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia. The storylines are plentiful, the pressure remains intense, and the final five races of 2025 promise drama at every turn.
The headline, of course, is Marc Márquez (Ducati Lenovo Team). The Spaniard’s long, emotional comeback reached its peak in Japan, where he finally secured a seventh MotoGP crown. It was the conclusion of one of the sport’s greatest redemption arcs, stretching back to his career-changing crash at Jerez in 2020. Now, free from the burden of championship arithmetic, Márquez approaches the remainder of the season unshackled. That could make him even more dangerous.
But the grid around him has no shortage of motivation. Alex Márquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) wants to prove himself worthy of a runner-up finish. Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team), after a magnificent Motegi double that saw him win both Sprint and Grand Prix, looks reborn. The two-time World Champion has rediscovered his spark, and with second place in the standings still in play, Lombok could become the stage for another Ducati showdown.
Bagnaia on the rise – can Pecco take the fight to Márquez?
The Mandalika circuit holds a strange place in Marc Márquez’s recent history. He has never finished a Grand Prix there, and his 2022 campaign was rocked by a violent highside at Turn 7. Last year, his weekend ended with a frustrating technical DNF. The Sprint podium provided some consolation, but a full-length race result remains missing from his Indonesian CV. Victory here would bring his tally of circuit wins to 23, equalling Valentino Rossi. Only Mick Doohan (24) has more.
Yet all eyes might be on his teammate. After a patchy season, Bagnaia rediscovered his champion’s edge in Motegi. Saturday’s Sprint win, followed by a dominant Sunday victory, marked his first double since 2023. Crucially, it didn’t look opportunistic — it looked inevitable. The Italian has pedigree at Mandalika, having fought through from 13th on the grid to win in 2023 and stood on the podium last year. His target is clear: close down Alex Márquez and claim silver in the championship. If he carries this form, the fight for second could go right to the wire.
The fight for silver and the battle for fifth
Alex Márquez sits between the two factory Ducatis, his own title hopes long gone but second overall still within reach. He also has another prize in sight: the Independent Riders’ crown. If he ends this weekend with a lead of more than 148 points in those standings, he will secure it early. He holds a 66-point cushion over Bagnaia, but Pecco’s resurgence means the gap could close fast.
Behind them, Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) is scrapping to keep his podium hopes alive. A bruising Motegi weekend saw him fall through no fault of his own in the Sprint before rallying to fourth on Sunday. He has two consecutive fifth places at Mandalika, but he’ll want more to keep his tilt for third place alive.
Further down the order, an intense three-way scrap for fifth overall is bubbling nicely. Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) leads the way, just a point clear of rookie sensation Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing). Fabio Di Giannantonio, Morbidelli’s teammate, is only 14 points back. All three have strong form in Indonesia: Morbidelli scored his best 2024 result here, Acosta was on the podium last year, and “Diggia” finished fourth. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), twice a podium finisher at Mandalika, is just behind them, though now under pressure from Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP), who continues to impress in his debut season.
Honda’s resurgence – can Mir keep the momentum?
Few stories warmed the paddock in Japan like Joan Mir’s. The 2020 World Champion claimed his first podium in four years — and Honda’s first in as long — alongside his best Sprint result and qualifying performance in factory colours. It was a reminder of the talent that remains and of Honda’s determination to rebuild. With 185 points still available, Mir could yet push into the top ten overall, though 52 points separate him from Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR), the current occupant.
Honda also has other irons in the fire. Luca Marini showed flashes of speed at Motegi before retiring, but he was a Mandalika polesitter back in 2023. Zarco himself delivered two top tens here last season, while Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) has fond memories of Mandalika after becoming the first Thai rider to win a Grand Prix, in Moto2, back in 2022.
Riders looking for a turnaround
Not everyone left Japan smiling. Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) saw his race ruined by a broken chain, while teammate Miguel Oliveira has been quietly consistent, taking points in the last four GPs and still the only rider to win the Indonesian GP — the inaugural wet race in 2022. Alex Rins (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) has always scored in Indonesia and needs to snap a run of three pointless races. Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) continues his painful recovery from a shoulder injury, still icing it between sessions, and Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) must pass a medical to ride after sitting out his home round. Jorge Martín (Aprilia Racing) will be absent altogether, his collarbone fracture ruling him out after surgery.
Beyond MotoGP: Moto2 and Moto3 set for crucial weekends
The premier class isn’t the only place where the stakes are high. In Moto2™, Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) continues to close in on leader Manuel Gonzalez (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP). The gap is down to 34 points after Motegi, where Moreira’s podium contrasted with Gonzalez’s penalty-hit fifth. Aron Canet (Fantic Racing), who dominated here last year, and Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Aspar), fresh from a superb win, will also be looking to shake up the order. For Indonesia’s own Mario Aji (Idemitsu Honda Team Asia), this is the biggest weekend of the season — his chance to perform in front of a passionate home crowd.
In Moto3™, Jose Antonio Rueda (Red Bull KTM Ajo) has his first match point. Leading by 93 over Angel Piqueras (FRINSA MT Helmets MSI), he can clinch the title this weekend if the gap hits 100 or more. Yet the focus won’t be solely on him. David Muñoz (LIQUI MOLY Dynavolt Intact GP) arrives fresh from victory, Maximo Quiles (CFMOTO Aspar) continues to dominate Rookie of the Year honours, and Valentin Perrone (Red Bull KTM Tech3) has emerged as a podium threat. Adrian Fernandez (Leopard Racing) also targets a breakthrough win at a circuit where he has previously stood on the rostrum.
Lombok awaits
With a champion crowned, the race for second ignited, and Moto2 and Moto3 delivering storylines of their own, the 2025 season enters its decisive phase. From Honda’s revival to Ducati’s inter-team battle, from rookies fighting veterans to local heroes chasing glory, the Pertamina Grand Prix of Indonesia has all the ingredients for another weekend to remember. The next chapter begins in Lombok.
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