Marc Marquez returns to the circuit that gave him sweet memories. Twelve months ago, he clinched his ninth world title at Motegi. Now, the Ducati Lenovo rider arrives with a different mission: to close the 12-point gap to Jorge Martin in the 2026 MotoGP standings.
“The 2025 Japanese GP is an indelible memory that binds me specially to the Ducati Lenovo Team. That memory and the incredible support from Japanese fans give me extra energy for this weekend. Motegi is a track I really like: the goal is to do well and be competitive,” Marquez said in an official statement.
This season, Marquez has been dominant at times, but Austria was a blow. Beaten in a duel by Martin, he lost valuable points. Now, the momentum has shifted. Martin is in top form, while Marquez is demanded to bounce back. Motegi could be a turning point, or a stumbling block.
His teammate, Francesco Bagnaia, also has fond memories at Motegi. “I love Japan and every year I'm really happy to come back racing here. At Motegi I took my last victory and that's a positive thought for this weekend. In Austria we fought but still scored points: now we must keep working hard to find the best feeling,” Bagnaia said.
Bagnaia himself is in a difficult period. His last win indeed came at Motegi, and that serves as a spur to return to peak performance. Ducati surely hopes both riders can be solid, especially facing pressure from competitors like Aprilia and KTM who are getting closer.
Technically, Motegi demands a perfect balance between hard braking and corner exit traction. The stop-and-go nature of this circuit often tests the bike and tyre package. The Ducati Desmosedici GP26 is known for its braking strength, but in recent races, that advantage has been reduced. Marquez and Bagnaia need to maximise practice sessions to find the ideal setup.
From the rival camp, Jorge Martin will not stand still. He arrives in Japan with high confidence after his Austria win. The title fight this season is heating up, and every point matters. Motegi will be the stage to prove who is more ready mentally and technically.
For Marquez, this is not just another race. It's about avenging the defeat, closing the gap, and sending a message that the title chase is far from over. If he can perform like last year, it's not impossible to claim the top step again. However, with pressure from Martin and a hungry Bagnaia, anything can happen.
Baca Juga
Marc Marquez kembali ke Motegi dengan prioritas baru setelah gelar 2025. Ia hadapi cedera dan rekonstruksi diri, siap tampil dengan pendekatan lebih matang.
Ducati dikabarkan telah mencoba berbagai hal 'irasional' untuk mengembalikan performa Pecco Bagnaia di MotoGP 2026. Simak analisis dan komentar mantan crew chief.
Marc Marquez siap hadapi GP Jepang di Motegi dengan misi kejar ketertinggalan 12 poin dari Jorge Martin. Simak strategi dan ambisinya.
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