Jorge Martin heads into the demanding Asian leg of the MotoGP 2026 season as the championship leader. The Aprilia rider holds a 12-point advantage over reigning champion Marc Marquez after winning both races at the Red Bull Ring. His double victory in Austria has given him momentum ahead of five races in six weekends, starting with Motegi this weekend.
Despite leading, Martin knows the title is far from secured. With seven rounds remaining, the fight is not just between him and Marquez. His Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi sits 42 points adrift, while KTM’s Pedro Acosta, fresh from a dominant maiden win in Austria, is 72 points behind. Riders like Fabio di Giannantonio, Ai Ogura, Raul Fernandez, and Alex Marquez are also capable of stealing crucial points from the frontrunners.
“The Asian tour begins and we are headed into it at a good time,” Martin said. “We are working very well as a team, and I want to thank Aprilia for the great job they are doing. We need to keep moving along this path, maintaining consistency and staying focused on our objectives. I have great respect for the Asian culture, and I am looking forward to racing in front of our Japanese fans. An extremely important stage of the championship begins. Let’s go!”
Motegi holds painful memories for Aprilia. Last year, Martin suffered a broken collarbone after colliding with Bezzecchi at Turn 1 during the Sprint. Bezzecchi bravely finished fourth in the Grand Prix the next day despite his injuries. Now, both return to the circuit with different mindsets, eager to rewrite the script.
“It will be really great to go to Japan. I can’t wait to meet all the fans,” said Bezzecchi, who took two third-place finishes in Austria. “I like the Motegi track very much, and we did pretty well there last year. Our goal is to have a good weekend and continue the work we’ve been doing.”
The upcoming races in Asia and Oceania will test the riders physically and mentally. Tracks like Motegi, Phillip Island, Sepang, and Buriram demand quick adaptation to changing weather, track characteristics, and tyre pressure. For Martin, opting out of arm pump surgery after Austria shows his readiness for the gruelling schedule. He wants to ensure his peak performance is maintained.
With a relatively small points gap, any mistake could be costly. Marquez, known for his aggressive riding, will be ready to pounce. Acosta, the rising star, is also a real threat. Aprilia must ensure the RS-GP remains competitive across different circuits, especially at high-speed tracks like Motegi and Sepang.
Clearly, Martin’s path to the title is no cakewalk. He must navigate five races in six weeks, including two Sprints, under constant pressure from rivals. If he can maintain consistency and avoid incidents, his chances of clinching the world title will grow. However, history shows that the Asian swing often becomes a turning point that decides the champion.
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