Jorge Martin Retakes 2026 MotoGP Championship Lead After Mandalika Podium

Jorge Martin hailed the Indonesian Grand Prix as a great day as he retook the MotoGP title lead despite finishing as the third best Aprilia rider at the Mandalika circuit.

The Spanish rider admitted that he had been a step behind factory team-mate Marco Bezzecchi and Trackhouse competitor Raul Fernandez throughout the entire weekend.

When the pair were eliminated at Turn 1 of the Sprint, Martin looked set to take advantage, only to surrender the Saturday race lead due to low tyre pressure issues on his machine.

Baca JugaMotoGP Terapkan Denda 5.000 Euro Mulai GP Indonesia Demi Atasi Absennya Pembalap

A further mistake then dropped Martin down to fourth place, while Marc Marquez claimed victory to take a four-point championship advantage into the main grand prix.

However, Martin struck back on Sunday, fighting brilliantly from sixth on the opening lap to third, and getting ahead of Marquez by lap three, where he remained until the chequered flag.

Bezzecchi and Fernandez finished first and second respectively, with Martin completing an Aprilia podium lockout while Ai Ogura made it a historic top-four sweep for the factory.

Today my target was to be third, honestly, Martin said regarding his performance. All weekend Raul and Marco were a step in front of me.

I was trying to work on my style, work on my pace, and today I did my maximum. I am happy about that. Yesterday, for sure, I missed a big opportunity to win the Sprint. But this is racing, sometimes you win, sometimes you learn, he added.

Saturday’s issue also meant that Martin’s tyre pressures had been set too safe, or too high, for the main Grand Prix event.

Today I think we were too safe and my tyre was with a big pressure and I was struggling a lot in the corners, he explained.

Nonetheless, he emphasized the positives: Today was a great day. We took back the lead, still five races to go, but I feel every time faster and faster to fight.

Although he has not won a Grand Prix since Le Mans in May, Martin has now claimed three Sunday podiums in a row, finishing second in Austria and Japan before taking third at Mandalika.

I’m happy to have my third podium in a row with Aprilia. This is super nice. I am confident that I will be fast in all the races to come, he stated.

For sure, there were races where I thought I was going to struggle, and, indeed, I was struggling. Now I don't feel I will struggle anymore, I will be really competitive, and I'm really focused on what's coming.

What is looming ahead is an intense five-round title fight with reigning champion Marquez, who leaves Indonesia just two points behind Martin in the championship standings.