Motegi (Japan) (AFP) – Marc Márquez (Ducati) won the sprint race of the Japanese Grand Prix on Saturday at the Motegi circuit, where the World Championship leader, Jorge Martín (Aprilia), finished in third position despite a penalty.

First modification: 03/10/2026 - 11:06

The Brazilian Diogo Moreira (Honda-LCR) took advantage of the penalty to Martín and Enea Bastianini (KTM-Tech3) - who went a few centimeters outside the limits of the track in the last corner - to rise from fourth position to the second step of the podium, his first spot in a sprint since his arrival in MotoGP.

Despite the sanction, Martín was in third position, minimizing the loss of points compared to Márquez, his main rival for the championship.

One day before the Japanese GP, Márquez, who dreams of winning a tenth world title in all categories, is 7 points behind Martín in the World Championship.

The Catalan, second on the grid, took the best start and overtook Martín on the inside of the second corner to take the lead. He quickly took a small lead and crossed the finish line without being threatened.

"We made some small changes for the sprint race [after qualifying], I felt better and was able to do a good race. Tomorrow we will do even better," Márquez celebrated.

Behind him, his brother Álex (Ducati-Gresini) fell on the first lap, after braking too fast in the second corner, and hit the KTM of Pedro Acosta and the Ducati-VR46 of Fabio Di Giannantonio. They all quit.

"It is also not necessary to make four overtakes in a single stop," Acosta said about Márquez's risky action.

Tire problems for Martín

Once the eldest of the Márquez brothers took the lead, Jorge Martín's race involved managing the excessive degradation of his rear tire, to defend his second position.

"I think we are doing a great job, riding very close to Ducati and Marc. Today, without the rubber like this, I would have followed Marc until the end," Martín told DAZN Spain.

In the last meters of the race, the Madrid native, world champion in 2024, reached turn 10 of the circuit pursued by Bastianini. Both went a few centimeters off the track, and the biggest beneficiary was Moreira, who went from fourth to second position due to the sanction for both drivers.

"Today was the day, we were very lucky but we knew how to take advantage of it. I am very happy and we have to enjoy moments like this," the Brazilian told DAZN Spain.

For his part, Martín regretted the loss of position but acknowledged the mistake.

"I'm a little angry with myself for touching the green, because it's a free position (...) I was so focused on trying to get out of that corner well that I had to go out with more angle and I touched the green," Martín said about the incident.

© 2026 AFP

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