MotoGP Japan: Marquez superb in the Sprint, and what a performance from Moreira! Updated riders' standings

Saturday, 03 October 2026 at 08:59

Ducati beats Aprilia with the reigning champion, Moreira on the podium after penalties for Martin and Bastianini. Bezzecchi picks the wrong tire.

Marc Marquez blitzes Jorge Martin at the start and then triumphs in the MotoGP Sprint of the Japanese Grand Prix. The Ducati rider then managed his race to perfection, never allowing himself to be attacked by the Aprilia rival. Now the gap between them in the overall standings is just 7 points.

Martin and Bastianini penalized, Moreira celebrates. Bezzecchi chose the wrong tire

In the finale, Martin suffered a drop-off on the rear tire and was caught by Enea Bastianini, who, however, couldn’t complete the overtake and momentarily settled for third.

Momentarily because shortly after the checkered flag both the KTM Tech3 rider and Martin were penalized for exceeding track limits: both were demoted by one position, which means Diogo Moreira steps onto the podium. The Honda LCR rookie moves from fourth to second, with the Martinator third and the Beast fourth.

Points also for Ai Ogura, Marco Bezzecchi, Johann Zarco, Raul Fernandez, and Fabio Quartararo. Bezzecchi was the only one, along with Jack Miller, to fit the medium rear tire: the choice didn’t pay off.

Japanese GP: sprint race report and results

LAP 1: Marquez jumps ahead of Martin, with Bezzecchi third on the medium rear tire. Between turns 3 and 4 Alex Marquez, Acosta, and Di Giannantonio go down: contact triggered by the Gresini team rider.

LAP 2: Marquez tries to break away, while Bezzecchi is hounded by an excellent Bastianini. Di Giannantonio in the ambulance; he came off worst in the first-lap crash.

LAP 3: Bastianini overtakes Bezzecchi and moves into third with the KTM Tech3, with Ogura and Moreira lurking.

LAP 4: Marquez has over eight tenths on Martin. Bezzecchi loses ground to Bastianini and is attacked by Moreira and Ogura. Diggia has arrived at the Medical Center.

LAP 5: Martin claws back a few tenths on Marquez. Moreira passes Bezzecchi, who is then also overtaken by Ogura. The Rimini rider drops to sixth.

LAP 7: Marquez keeps 8–9 tenths between himself and Martin.

LAP 9: Marc in management mode, the gap to Jorge exceeds one second.

LAP 12: Bastianini catches Martin, bringing Moreira with him, but the positions remain unchanged to the line. With the penalty (one-position drop) to Martin and Bastianini for slightly touching the green, Moreira takes P2. Meanwhile, Marquez celebrates the win.