Marc Marquez: Why making predictions is too much heat for the Ducati star

In 2025, we witnessed one of the greatest comebacks in sporting history when Marc Marquez clinched the title early in Japan – six years had passed since the Spaniard’s previous triumph in the premier class.

This year, the outlook is different: Marquez faces two very strong rivals in the Aprilia factory riders Jorge Martin and Marco Bezzecchi; ahead of Motegi, he sits in second place in the overall standings on 294 points, sandwiched between the two – 12 points behind Martin and 30 ahead of Bezzecchi.

Motegi is a happy hunting ground for Ducati: since 2022, the Italian manufacturer has won every Grand Prix there, as well as all three sprints. Marc Márquez also has a soft spot for the circuit: in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2025, he clinched the MotoGP title in the Land of the Rising Sun, although he only crossed the finish line as the winner in 2016, 2018 and 2019.

“Last year I arrived at Motegi with a big lead; this year we’re experiencing a normal championship,” Marquez told a small group of journalists on Thursday. “Things are going differently, but the only important thing is that I’m in the title race for another year. All four Aprilias are very fast, including Acosta. The priority is to qualify for the front row and fight for podium places. It’s not going the same way as last year; everyone is more on a level playing field.”

Marc Marquez isn’t making any grand plans

Back then, Marquez won the Grand Prix 11 times, the Sprint 14 times and both races at a single event 10 times across the first 17 race weekends. A week after his triumph in Japan, he was taken out by Bezzecchi in Indonesia, bringing his season to an end due to injury.

Topic of the week

Nicolo Bulega: Toprak’s successor will not fail in MotoGP

The Italian Nicolo Bulega is the first rider to have won the world title in both the Supersport and Superbike classes; from 2027, he will be racing in MotoGP. His performances this season are second to none.

Read More

TV Program

Today

Motegi: International Livestream

MotoGP World Championship

02.10.2026 - 01:55

The 33-year-old emphasises that he has no grand plan for this season, but is taking it “day by day and race by race”. Whilst Motegi is considered a Ducati track, Aprilia is likely to have the advantage at the following event in Mandalika on the holiday island of Lombok. “We don’t know if it will rain there, or whether I’ll feel better or worse there,” Marquez mused. “For now, I’m focusing on making it through to Q2 at Motegi; then we’ll see what Saturday brings.”