Martin ahead of the race in Mandalika: “I don’t fancy winning everything”

Despite another MotoGP one-two for world champion Marc Marquez on the Lenovo-Ducati at the Japanese Grand Prix, Aprilia was also a winner. For the first time ever, the Noale-based project managed to secure a podium finish at Motegi. When Martin and Bezzecchi both joined Marquez on the podium on Sunday, the Aprilia team were beaming too.

This at least meant they managed to defend their lead in the riders’ world championship. Jorge Martin, who once again had to miss the Indonesian round in 2025 due to injury (though he won in 2024), intends to continue viewing the world championship standings as a secondary concern.

Jorge Martin at the opening press conference: “My feeling right now is the best of the season – partly because of the results, but even more so because of the good feeling that’s there after so many laps and everything we’ve learnt. I’ve been getting faster and faster recently.”

Jorge Martin didn’t just demonstrate this in Japan with pole position. At the Austrian Grand Prix, Martin really came into his own. Here too, the number 89 finished on the podium twice and created some breathing space between himself and Márquez. That’s the plan for Indonesia as well.

WM-Leader Jorge Martin zwischen den Rivalen Marc Marquez & Marco Bezzecchi

Foto: Gold and Goose

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When asked about the supposedly superior Aprilia on the circuit, right by the beach in Lombok: “You never know what’ll happen in MotoGP. There are memories of 2025, when Marco was able to make the difference as a rider – but that was also with a bike that worked very well. That gives me a good feeling, but the reality could just as easily be different. It’s all about scoring as many points as possible. I don’t have any expectations, because I don’t delude myself into thinking I’ll win everything. As always, it’ll be hard work, especially with Marc and Marco.”

Championship leader Jorge Martin also commented on the format changes agreed for 2027, which, alongside a sprint qualifying session, also mean the abolition of the warm-up session: “It’s going to be intense; these are major changes. With more attacks, there’s more risk, but also more excitement – we’ll have to adapt to that. I think it’s great that there won’t be a warm-up session anymore – I don’t like it even now.”

The ‘Martinator’s’ position is easy to summarise. With just a two-point lead over Marc Márquez, the World Championship battle is at fever pitch. A zero-point finish could prove decisive as the final phase begins.