Written by Finn Glover, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri
MotoGP returns to the famed Motegi circuit and plays host to round 16 of the world championship. A home race for two out of the five manufacturers, it is a super crucial race for those wanting to wow the home crowd, but also for those slugging it out at the head of the championship.
So, grab your samurais, this Japanese Grand Prix could be a battle for the ages.
Throwback: 2023 Japanese Grand Prix
Last year, Martin mastered Motegi with a double sprint and race victory in two races that couldn’t have been more different.
In the sprint, Martin led from the offset, dominating to take the crown ahead of Brad Binder on the KTM. He battled with teammate Miller early on, before the Aussie dropped back into the clutches of Pecco Bagnaia, finishing an eventual 4th.
In the main race, clouds loomed ominously and rain began to fall on the formation lap. Vinales and Zarco slid off at Turn One, and the field tiptoed around the first lap before three-quarters boxed to pit onto the wet bike at the end of the opening lap.
By that time though, Martin had dropped to third, after a stunning divebomb by Miller into Turn 11, overtaking 2 bikes and claiming the race lead.
Michele Pirro led the way, but Bagnaia now had the race lead after jumping Miller in the pits. But not for long, as he dropped to a net fifth straight away, and Martin led them into the first corner. Then he ran wide, falling down numerous places. But, in a tightly packed cluster of seven or eight riders, he was back leading by lap 7.
The Honda of Marc Marquez then got moving, clambering up to 3rd in what was his only podium in a torrid season.
Just after he got past VR46 rider Bezzecchi, Zarco crashed horribly in the final sector, and the red flag was called for worsening conditions. The race wasn’t restarted, and Martin won brilliantly, followed home by Bagnaia and Marquez.
It was a race marked by a rather unusual occurrence — with the top 11 featuring one rider from all 11 teams. From Martin and Pramac in first to home hero Nakagami and LCR in 11th, the mixed conditions proved for a mixed result, changing the complexion of the championship and closing the gap to just three points.
Round 15: Indonesia
The heat of Mandalika proved once again to be integral, with the weekend providing chaos and catastrophe for some, whilst it was calmness and celebration for others.
After a dominant pole by over half a second, it seemed destined Martin would cruise to a sprint victory. But on lap one, the bike slid away from him at the penultimate corner, and left him falling, resulting in an eventual 10th, non scoring points finish. Bagnaia then led, followed by a group of Ducati riders and Pedro Acosta.
Bezzecchi led the chasing bunch, and after relentless battling with the likes of Marquez and Bastianini, closed up to the back of Bagnaia. But on Lap seven, he nearly clattered into the back of Bagnaia, dropping to 4th.
Bastianini then passed Marquez to make it a Ducati Lenovo 1-2, Bezzecchi in 4th. Bagnaia closed the gap by 12 points on Martin ahead.
The main race proved to be one of attrition, with just 12 riders finishing. As many as four riders were wiped out after a disastrous crash at turn three on lap one, but Martin was left unbothered by the ensuing chaos. It was a rough start for sprint winner Bagnaia, who had a bobbly launch and dropped to sixth, having been muscled out at the hairpin on lap one.
Martin cleared off out front, and Acosta followed suit after brilliantly passing Bastianini. The Ducati barrage behind then followed, exchanging positions lap after lap. In the melee, many riders crashed, and Marc Marquez’s bike even set on fire, all aiding the championship hope of Bagnaia who capitalised on the mistakes.
Bastianini began to charge, but it all came crashing down at Turn One, all leading to Bagnaia finishing a rather lucky third, after what was an extremely disappointing race.
Yet, Martin won by a margin, ahead of a sensational Acosta and Bagnaia. It was another great weekend for Yamaha and Quartararo — finishing seventh in a race where he could’ve been higher if it wasn’t for an awful start.
The standout of the weekend however, was Johann Zarco, now racing for LCR Honda. On the so-called slowest bike, he qualified a remarkable seventh, finishing eighth in the sprint and ninth in the race, marking Honda’s best result, and their first top-ten appearance since Thailand in 2023.
After Mandalika madness, the championship top five is as follows:
1- Jorge Martin (Pramac) 366 Points
2- Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo) 345 Points
3- Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo) 291 Points
4- Marc Marquez (Gresini) 288 Points
5- Pedro Acosta (GASGAS Tech3 KTM) 181 Points
The Track
One of Japan’s lesser known racetracks, the Mobility Resort Motegi has hated the premier class since 1999, and has been home to some of the most iconic races and events in MotoGP history.
Located in the environmental haven of the Togichi province, the road course is 4.801 km (2.983 mi) long, made up of 14 challenging corners. Similarly to the iconic Monza, the track runs beneath an oval racetrack, with two sections where the bikes blast through a tunnel and back into the daylight.
Unlike the previous round at Mandalika, Motegi is a racetrack made up of long straights leading into tight corners. Five straights and two very technical sections make up the nearly five-kilometre-long course, featuring an array of corners, and providing a plethora of overtaking opportunities that often run to the final lap.
With Motegi’s rather rural location, along with its mid-autumn slot, the weather here can often play a huge impetus, with rain sessions a commodity at the Japanese Grand Prix.
In the same vein as Mandalika, the track is not as used as the likes of Misano and Le Mans, so will most likely host a low-grip surface and some nervy bikes.
The epic triple header of MotoGP is set to come to an end. With over 17,000km covered, two continents and three countries, it has certainly been one to remember. Crashes, carnage and championship-defining consequences, what will Japan have to say in what has been a compelling last couple of races?
The Motegi circuit was once mastered by Marc Marquez. But Ducati have stretched their legs in recent years, around a layout that suits their bikes. Yet, if last year's results are anything to go by, this race can switch up at any moment, especially if there’s rain in the air…
And with the Japanese manufacturers of Yamaha and Honda at home, don’t rule them out to continue their resurgence in form. Marc Marquez claimed Honda’s only podium in the last two years here in 2023, and with important executives and home fans cheering them on, they could really be boosted.
Long straights. Narrow corners. Unpredictable outcome. Oh, and did anyone mention we are in the midst of a championship fight?
21 points separate Martin and Bagnaia. What will happen? Find out in the main race, at 6am BST.
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