Marc Márquez completed a perfect Japanese GP weekend with victory in both the Sprint and Grand Prix. He passed Jorge Martín on lap 11 and finished 1.363 seconds ahead. Martín still leads the championship, but his advantage has fallen from 12 points to just two. Marc now has 331 points, while Martín has 333, with six rounds remaining in the 2026 season.
Marc Márquez was sitting on provisional pole during Q2 before Jorge Martín improved late in the session. Marc then ran wide into the gravel at Turn 3 on his final attempt and could not improve his time. He will start the Japanese GP Sprint from second, alongside championship rival Martín and Pedro Acosta.
Jorge Martín claimed pole for the Japanese GP at Motegi with a new lap record of 1:42.371. The Aprilia rider beat Marc Márquez by 0.110 seconds after Marc had briefly held provisional pole. Pedro Acosta completed the front row in third, just 0.122 seconds behind Martín. Marc made a late mistake at Turn 3 while trying to improve his final qualifying lap.
Álex Márquez set the fastest time in Friday Practice at the Japanese GP, leading Pedro Acosta by 0.076 seconds and Marc Márquez by 0.100. The Gresini Ducati rider posted a 1:42.811 to establish a new Motegi lap record. Jorge Martín finished eighth, while Francesco Bagnaia was 16th. All championship contenders advanced directly to Q2.
Yamaha believes Ai Ogura could help reignite Japan’s passion for motorcycles. The 25 year old became Japan’s first MotoGP race winner in 22 years at Assen and will join Yamaha’s factory team for 2027 and 2028. Yamaha MotoGP boss Paolo Pavesio says Ogura’s growing popularity could bring more attention to the sport, as he represents a Japanese rider on a Japanese factory bike.
Nicolò Bulega’s extensive testing of Ducati’s new 850cc MotoGP prototype has sparked debate in the paddock. KTM test rider Pol Espargaró called the advantage “crazy” and “unfair”, pointing to Bulega’s experience with the bike and Pirelli tyres. Bulega has completed around 10 private test days, while several 2027 rivals must wait until December to ride the new package.
Fabio Quartararo is set to end his long-running Monster Energy partnership when he leaves Yamaha for Honda in 2027. Honda is reportedly bringing Red Bull back as a major factory MotoGP sponsor, meaning Quartararo will move away from the brand that has backed him since his MotoGP debut in 2019. He won his 2021 world title and all 11 MotoGP victories with Monster branding.
MotoGP stars Fabio Quartararo, Jack Miller and Álex Rins were in India for a Yamaha R2 Track Day at the Madras International Circuit. The Yamaha riders joined the event as the new YZF-R2 gets its India rollout. The 204cc R-Series motorcycle was globally launched in India earlier this month, with production also taking place in the country.
Alberto Surra completed a memorable Cremona weekend by taking his first WorldSBK podium in the Superpole Race and then finishing fourth in Race 2. The Motocorsa Ducati rider fought Yari Montella for third before eventually settling for fourth. Surra had crashed in Saturday’s opening race but bounced back strongly on Sunday to record the best weekend of his WorldSBK career.
Iker Lecuona completed a perfect Cremona weekend by winning Race 2 and taking all three victories at the Italian Round. The Aruba.it Ducati rider controlled the 23-lap race after taking the early lead from teammate Bulega. He eventually finished 8.590 seconds ahead of Bulega, becoming the fifth rider in WorldSBK history to complete a hat-trick.